Flintlock brought for Christmas

[fernando]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

... Not to be dull, but do the worm holes have to be filled? I actually rather like them and think they build character fo the item. I have an American boarding pike with a wormy ash shaft that I wouldn't dream of filling. Now, if you tell me that these holes weaken the structure of the piece...then, I might agree.

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi Mark,
Not dull at all. I think this falls within the restore or not debate and how far do you go. Personal preference must be the main consideration, a quality furniture restorer could make a really nice job on the wormholes making them all but invisible but on the other hand for some it might compromise the historical integrity of the piece. I think Fernando has a really nice pistol 'restored' or not. Degrees of 'restoration' will always have its advocates and detractors, as collectors the least we can do is make sure that the items that come our way don't deteriorate any further, whether we wish to take our 'care' any further is obviously up to the individual. It's always a tricky question....

A tricky question indeed. I (guess i) am usually against restoring things, specially if it means pure reconstruction of something that is missing and even sometimes unknown, with the implicit risk to change the basic object's appearance; you know, adding something that will be screaming out as a foreign body.
But (i guess) filling wormholes is like expelling from the object (and from your mind) the idea that the worms themselves are still there, even if not ... and does not alter the texture and patina of (in this case) the pistol.
I will have to sleep over this issue for a while ... and maybe consult, not an actual restorer, but a (wealthy clintele) stock maker i know in the vicinity, who gives me the previlege to attend my profitless 'commissions'.

[M ELEY]

Thanks, Norman and Fernando for answering my question. I had actualy wondered about worm holes in pieces for quite some time. I apreciate your answers and patience with my asking. Fernando, this is a great piece and I wish I was getting one for Christmas-
Norm, Santa didn't get me anything!! Well, I did get a nice hanger ca. 1680 last month. That will have to do. Hope yours was a good holiday!

[fernando]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Norm, Santa didn't get me anything!! Well, I did get a nice hanger ca. 1680 last month...

Oh man, circa 1680 ? That's business
I love early stuff

[Norman McCormick]

Originally Posted by fernando

Oh man, circa 1680 ? That's business
I love early stuff

Me too