Conservation Information

Artillery:

Understanding what makes artillery blow up when being drilled:

• An article "Chemists Consulted - Mystery Of Why Some Relic Projectiles Explode" From the Civil War News.
• The Artilleryman Winter 2006 Vol 28, No. 1: More Info On Projectile Explosions by John Biemeck
• The Artilleryman Summer 2008 Vol 29, No. 3: Retired Ordnance Officer Discusses Hazards Of Deactivating Projectiles by John Biemeck
  
• CivilWarArtillery.com: Historical Aspects and Black Powder Manufacturing By Michael A. Rosen, Ph.D., M.D., Dupont Chemical

Information to help with removing rust from iron:

• Using electrolysis to remove rust - Home use low DC current to quickly remove corrosion from iron. This is not for long term preservation of salt infused iron.
• Texas A&M Conservation Research lab - A wealth of information on conservation of iron and many other materials

Bullets:

• Some collector input:
  • For most bullets, soak overnight in water, shaking the container gently a time or two. Then a light brushing. Rarer bullets I'll clean with a bit more care. For bullets that are displayed, I gently wipe off with tacky cheesecloth, and coat with 2-3 coats of matte poly to keep the bullets from further oxidation/deterioration. Put my collection number on a small square of white out on top of the poly.

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