Cute little Spitty brooch in need of tlc

[Tigerlily]

So I impulse bought this for a few pounds last week and it arrived today, she is a bit grubby with a few sticky spots and a tiny bit of verdigris on the back so I am going to give her a bit of a clean, but as you can see the clasp is a little bent out of shape, I have tried a bit of gentle persuasion but it's not bending back.

Is it worth persisting or should I just leave as is, bearing in mind that it was

a)bought for peanuts and probably not worth the effort
b)will just be sitting on a shelf looking adorable
c) I am notoriously clumsy

I think I may have answered my own question!

Allison

[Chipper]

As a paid up member of the notoriously clumsy club, I'd leave it as is, maybe just a soapy bath and a gentle cleanup?

Cheers, Tim

[Tigerlily]

Tim, I have just cleaned her up and she is looking very posh and I even found a makers mark. I tried just using water but couldn't resist using a spot of Autosol on the back where there was verdigris, then I thought well a little bit on the front couldn't hurt, and then I thought I would justify my actions by deciding she was meant to be worn by someone's sweetheart who would, I hope have worn it with pride and never have let it get so mucky

But your right I'm going to leave the clasp well alone!

Allison

[Chipper]

thats a terrific job. Looks amazing. Good job!

cheers, Tim

[Phil2M]

I will show it to Zara when she gets here, bet she will demand that I find her one

[Tigerlily]

Originally Posted by Chipper

thats a terrific job. Looks amazing. Good job!

cheers, Tim

Thanks Tim!

[Tigerlily]

Originally Posted by Phil2M

I will show it to Zara when she gets here, bet she will demand that I find her one

I can't find another one to compare it to apparently its by Ward Brother's. Say hi to Zara from me, she is a girl of impeccable taste!

[Phil2M]

Zara says "oh wow, thats really cool"

[Tigerlily]

Ha, your in trouble now, you'll have to track one down, thank Zara for me, like I said she has very good taste

[Mike B]

Well it just shows - cleaning can reveal names etc. But personally I am 'old school' at tend not to touch things. I can see it has been worth while in this case though and your reasoning is sound (people in this hobby tend to loose sound reasoning) .
Mike

[Tigerlily]

I dithered about doing it but it badly needed at least a mild clean it had what looked like drops of resin on it. Then once I started I couldn't stop!

Apart from a Sherwood Foresters button that was in a bad way and had to have a bit of a clean up, more to protect it for the future than anything else, I haven't touched my badges, they are perfect just the way they are. See I am learning!

[Mike B]

At the end of the day it is purely personal choice - we all face dilemmas - some go one way, others the other way. Knowing when to stop - yes that can be a problem to. We are all learning all the time.
Mike

[sketchley kid]

I used to make Spitfire badges out of old Pennies in WW2,

[Tigerlily]

So did my uncle's for my dad, funnily enough I was looking at some on ebay the other day

Allison

[sketchley kid]

Soften the penny, fold it double, hold about 1/8" in vice, tap the half rounds back for wings and tail then cut and file....