Retouching Wood Grain Metal Finish

[markiemark]

What would one do here? Find a reputable China restorer to do the job. Or just leave the thing alone. Your comments please?

[Phono-Phan]

It looks great and I would leave it alone.

[Django]

I wouldn’t touch it, but that’s of course your call. What does the rest of it look like? Pictures please.

[52089]

Relevant thread:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=42360&hilit=cygnet

Personally, to me there's so little "damage" I'd probably leave it alone. I'd be tempted to try a furniture marker on the one spot, but I don't think it would stick to the metal well enough.

[Zwebie]

Looks beautiful!, I would leave it alone.

Bob S.

[JerryVan]

Yup, leave it alone.

[Duchesne]

I am tempted to touch-up the one spot that is more noticeable than the rest of it, but I'm inclined to leave well enough alone. It show's its battle scars from time - like the rest of us

[tomb]

I think the battle damage helps confirm its age. I would leave it alone. If you mess up you will always see the imperfection you created even though it looks just OK. As it is it looks like a very nice older horn. Tom

[Curt A]

Could it be touched up??? YES...BUT... unless you have the artistic ability to do it correctly yourself, you are best to leave it alone...

Turning it over to an "artist" leaves it open to their interpretation of what it should look like, which might be good, or it could be disastrous... Most people who are not collectors, don't fully realize the historical significance of an accurate restoration.