Cleaning medals>>COMPLETE<<

[Jane Eden]

I am brand new to this board. I went through mums cupboards yesterday and discovered a load of medals from 1914-1918.  They are obviously very dirty and need cleaning.

Is it OK to use  cleaner like autosol and polish them up?

When I have cleaned them I intend putting them on this board to find out if they are standard or special as I have no concept about medals and why people had them.

I know my dad was mentioned in dispatches and have the citations to go with them. What does this mean?

I am sorry for being so ignorant but as a child I was brought up to be a good girl and don't mention the war as it would upset dad as alot of his friends were killed. I now wish that I had upset dad temporarily and found out more, now of course it is too late.

Jane

[Flipster]

Jane,
dont use any industrial type cleaner on them.  Warm soapy water would probably be enough.
If you want to find out more about them try this site:
http://www.1914-1918.net/
and visit their forum.

Good Luck!

Flipster

[Kevwood]

Hi Jane.

I found this site really useful if you go to the uk medals section.

http://www.stephen-stratford.co.uk/index.htm

Has loads of info.

Kev.

[Jane Eden]

Thanks Flipster and Kev. I will visit both links.

Jane

[Carmela]

Hi Jane,
 Medals are not one of my interests, but
as an antiques collector/dealer, I have seen too many things
ruined by well-meaning people, armed with household cleaning products and polishes. Some metals such as bronze
should never be polished. I don't know what you mean by "dirty". If they are in really bad condition such as going green from being stored in a damp place, it is a job best left to professionals. If they are not that bad, but you feel that you really must clean them, be very careful. Soap and water, as Flipster suggested, should be ok, but make sure that they are really dry afterwards(a short time in the oven should do it). Do not use any abrasive
cleaners or polishes.
I found a website which gives advice on cleaning medals and ribbons. I just took a quick look and products recommended are ones that I have used on other metal
objects and found to be satisfactory.
 
   http://www.awm.gov.au/aboutus/conservation/medals.htm
 
Cheers,
Carmela

[Jane Eden]

Carmela

Thanks. I know just from watching Antiques Roadshow etc. that well meaning people can totally ruin antiques because they want them clean and shiny which is why I asked the question. I was sure you would say don't use metal polish etc. though of course it is really tempting.

I would never sell the medals as they are close relatives including my dad, but I still wouldn't want to ruin them. I will check your link tonight.

Thanks

Jane

[Carmela]

Hi Jane,
You will be happy to know that the site I gave you does give directions for gentle polishing. Some purists in the militaria
world might still object, but for family pieces that are going to stay in the family, I think it's quite ok.
 
Cheers,
Carmela

[Jane Eden]

Carmela

I have just read the instructions for cleaning and storing the medals. I will get the stuff today and have a go. Then I will need to identify them and work out who got which one.

Thanks

Jane

[manmack]

jane,you can clean the war medal[silver one]with cigarette ash,its what the experts use to clean silver,but i would leave them in all their glory if it was me,if you look on the rims of some medals you will find their details,manmack.