Call a conservator!!!  There is a book, I forget its exact title, about
Conservation Programs and conservators in the U.S. and Canada.  It gives
phone numbers and addresses for a hundreds of conservators and can tell
you what each conservator's area of expertise happens to be.  But for
heavens sake DO NOT DO ANYTHING until you have spoken to a conservator.
In attempting to treat the objects yourself, you could do more harm than
good.

Heidi Anderson
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On Mon, 25 Mar 1996, Jeanine M Mazak wrote:

> I am one of two graduate museum studies interns at a house museum where
> our work has been basic collections management and care.  For the most
> part our coursework has been extremely helpful in dealing with the bulk
> of the collection.  However, we recently examined some late 19th century
> swords, daggers and scabbards.  They are in horrible condiditon.  The
> leather of the scabbards crumble when touched at worst and are severly
> cracked at best.  All of the blades are bloched if not covered with rust
> and corrosion.
>
> The items have been laying for goodness knows how many years atop of a
> standard find in anyone's garage utility rack uncovered in an un climate
> controlled area.
>
> Can anyone please offer advice as to beginning to repair these items, at
> least keep them from getting any worse?  Any suggested reading materials
> and the like would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thank you,
>
> jeanine mazak
> [log in to unmask]
>