Saving Your Treasures: Firearms
Saving Your Treasures

Types of Objects
FIREARMS
Firearms, weapons, and other military items are functional objects that are often well used before they become heirlooms or museum objects. These objects can be made from many different materials, both inorganic and organic, including metals, wood, ivory, bone, fabric, leather, etc.
They are cared for by objects conservators or textiles conservators (for uniforms and flags). When in doubt, an objects conservator can help you determine who would be the most appropriate professional for advice and conservation. The videos below and handouts and websites on the right will guide you in the proper methods for preserving your items.
If you have any questions, ask a conservator.
Metals:
Origins & Properties
Metals: Fabrication & Technology
Metals:
Deterioration
Metals:
Preventative Care
Harry Smith
and his Frontier Rifle
Plant Materials:
Structure
Plant Materials:
Chemistry
Plant Materials:
Technology
Plant Materials:
Integrated Pest Management
Plant Materials: Deterioration -
Environmental & Mechanical
Plant Materials: Deterioration -
Chemical & Biological
Plant Materials:
Preventative
Care
TYPES OF OBJECTS
Types of Objects
FIREARMS
Firearms, weapons, and other military items are functional objects that are often well used before they become heirlooms or museum objects. These objects can be made from many different materials, both inorganic and organic, including metals, wood, ivory, bone, fabric, leather, etc.
They are cared for by objects conservators or textiles conservators (for uniforms and flags). When in doubt, an objects conservator can help you determine who would be the most appropriate professional for advice and conservation. The videos below and handouts and websites on the right will guide you in the proper methods for preserving your items.
If you have any questions, ask a conservator.
![]() Origins & Properties | ![]() | ![]() Deterioration | ![]() Preventative Care |
![]() and his Frontier Rifle |
![]() Structure | ![]() Chemistry | ![]() Technology | ![]() Integrated Pest Management |
![]() Environmental & Mechanical | ![]() Chemical & Biological | ![]() Preventative Care |
TYPES OF OBJECTS