Guide To Antique and Vintage Fasteners

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CHAPTER SIX

Restoration

RESTORATION restored. In nearly all cases looking as good
as news and the way their family member
In consideration of the service most desk top had it . It all cases, their responses were
fasteners and staplers have provided, one positive and appreciative of the care and
would have to conduct some form of respect I had shown the simple tool used by
restoration just to make the tool appealing to their family member.
the eye and worthy of display. SIMPLE RESTORATION
This example shown below is a good
Just mentioning restoration will conjure up example of simple restoration performed on
debate from several different beliefs. a Hotchkiss stapler. The gentleman who
owned it had passed away and his
a. Some believe under no granddaughter made this stapler available on
circumstances restoration should the internet. The machine was in poor
take place. Restoration destroys condition and was not worthy of display.
patina or integrity. This stapler was cleaned at which time it
was determined the base was extreme
b. While others believe only touch ups rusted. The remaining paint and rust was
should take place. No repainting or removed and the base was repainted the
plating should take place. Minor original gloss black. Nickel parts were
cosmetic corrections are permissible cleaned and polished. The springs and
only for the purpose of improving moving internal parts were oiled.
the tool for display. Overall, the process took three hours and at
completion, the stapler was now ready for
c. There are others who feel that any display.
change is O.K. as long as it makes
the tool useable. 93

d. Still others believe that when a
working tool is involved, especially
one that was never considered to
have a collectible value, any
restoration is permissible.

It is my belief that the forth rule applies. As
long as the fastener is restored to its original
condition the fastener does not lose value
and restoration serves to enhance its
appearance and on only adds to its
appreciation.

Many times, when buying an antique or
vintage fastener, I have asked the seller if
this fastener was the property of a family
member. If it was, I would send a picture
back to the seller after the fastener was

COMPLETE RESTORATION
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