Good advice, David! You've put it very succinctly. Harry Needham Special Advisor - Program Development Canadian War Museum 330 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Canada K1A 0M8 Voice: (819) 776-8612 Fax (819) 776-8623 Email: [log in to unmask] > ---------- > From: HARVEY DAVID ... COLLECTIONS[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Reply To: Museum discussion list > Sent: Friday, July 10, 1998 8:38 AM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: cannons > > Outdoor bronze Cannon should be treated just the same as outdoor bronze > sculpture. They need to be examined at least once or twice a year and > their condition documented. If previously cleaned and coated with wax the > surface needs a light re-cleaning and reapplication and buffing of wax. > The stable green patina should never be disturbed unless there is an > overriding need to clean because of the formation of active corrosion > products. I would not recommend painting a bronze cannon unless it is > going to be unattended and unmonitored for long periods of time (years). > That would be the same effect as painting the verdigris surface of the > Statue of Liberty! It is especially important to regularly inspect the > wooden carriages and look for signs of damage: ie., rot, splitting of the > wood, etc. If not maintained the carriages can collapse under the weight > that they bear. > > The only problem with outdoor Cannon is that there are spots that are > problematic to reach due to their being mounted on their carriages - you > have to be somewhat of a gymnast to reach some recessed areas. I would > also caution about leaving one parked in the shade. You actually want to > have them exposed to significant amounts of sunlight so the condensation > and rain will dry and not remain on the surface to cause corrosion. We > have two cast iron Cannon tubes under an outdoor shed that are corroding > terribly and we have an identical pair that have been out in the sun that > are in excellent condition. > > If there is a significant problem then contact your local conservator who > is experienced in outdoor sculpture for advice. You can contact the AIC > for a free referral listing of conservators in your area: [log in to unmask] > > > Cheers! > Dave > > David Harvey > Asscoiate Conservator, > Metals & Arms > The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation > P.O. Box 1776 > Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-1776 USA > Voice: 757-220-7039 > E-Mail: [log in to unmask] > > -----Original Message----- > From: Doug Lantry [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Thursday, July 09, 1998 5:35 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: cannons > > Hello all. Does anyone out there have bronze American Civil War-era > cannons (outdoor or indoors) in their care? If so, how do you take care of > them (cleaning, polishing, waxes, coatings, etc.)? I'm interested to see > what the standard is on this. > > Your input is most appreciated. > > -Doug > > ........................................ > Doug Lantry > The Ohio Historical Society > Statehouse Education and Visitors Center > Columbus, Ohio > [log in to unmask] >