Cleaning hurt value ??

[pistolfan]

I'm not a die hard cartridge collector, but I do like looking at all the different cartridges when I go to a gun show. Through the years I've picked up a few that have caught my eye for whatever reason at the time. My question is, I'd like to display the ones I have but a number of them are quite tarnished, almost black, would it hurt their value much if I polished them up a little. I'm not talking bright brass look but enough so you can see the shape of them better. I don't think I have any rare cartridge since I bought all of these fairly cheap, the most expensive one was $10.00 and most are only a buck or two. Also what would be the best way to clean them up. Thanks for any replies. Peter aka pistolfan

[marlinman93]

Hi Pete,
 If they aren't collectable it wont hurt, but for those that you paid over a buck each for, the value will be less than a buck, once they're cleaned. If you want to clean those that have less value, then a tooth brush, and a clean cloth, with some Flitz or other metal polish will clean them up.
 Don't ever clean any cartridges that have any value, or they will be devalued.

[pistolfan]

Marlinman: Thanks for the reply, I never thought about using Flitz. As I said I'm not an avid collector but then again I don't want to ruin any collector value some of the shells may have. I just add ones that interest me at the time. Thanks again. Peter aka pistolfan

[glock29]

I know I am wrong from a value standpoint about this, but I would much rather have & would pay more for something old that has been cleaned and is shiny than an old tarnished piece of junk. To me, patina makes items look WORN OUT, & quite frankly, crappy ! Give me a refurbished Winchester 73 or 86 or Colt SAA over a beat down, used up original ANY DAY !
For example, I would much rather have a 18th century piece of furniture that has been sanded, refinished & looks like new than some beat-up dinged, nicked, dark & nasty finished original.
The only old items that are valued in a sensible way are Automobiles. A restored like-new classic/musclecar will bring much more $$$ on the market than an old beat-up dented, faded-finish, oil smoke belching original. For most antiques this is the exact opposite. Makes no sense to me to buy anything in a non refurbished beat-up condition just because it is old. That is what I call JUNK, rare or not.

[pistolfan]

glock29: Can't say I disagree with you, I feel that way about old things also. Like I said non of these cartridges are one of a kind so my kids won't be able to retire when they inherit them. I plan on cleaning them up a bit not bright brass though, I do want them to maintain some of their oldness look. Thanks for the reply. Peter aka pistolfan

[marlinman93]

There is a difference between a mild cleaning of a decent case, gun, or old car, and a complete refurbishing of a wreck!
 Sure we would all love to find originals that are pristine, with perfect case, engines, or bores, but the truth is, most of us can't afford them.
 An original that is well maintained, or slightly used, but not abused will be worth many times what a completely restored cartridge, furniture, car or gun will be.
 I'd much rather have the original in used, but not abused condition, in every instance.

[S.S.]

All Of my metallic cartridges are cleaned. They look much better in the displays. In all honesty, there are not many of us cartridge collectors
left.  Rare cartridges just don't bring the prices they used to anyway.