[Milsurplus] Restoration dilemma

[David Stinson]

Military1944 at aol.com wrote:

> Having just received a quite rare bit of WW2 kit I have a dilemma. 
> 
> It was obviously recovered from a wreck site, 
 > not even the hands of a radio amateur bogger (save one I know)
 > could have done this damage.
> 
> But, do I restore it or leave it as it is?...

Setting aside rarity for a moment:
If the item has reliable provenance- you can identify with
confidence what wreck, at what time, in what circumstance,
then it is an historic artifact and I counsel preservation as-is.
If you have no such provenance and no hope of getting any,
it's a parts donor or a long-term project.
I would photograph and document before making changes.

However- if considering truly "rare" status:
If it is "one of a kind," it should be preserved as-is.
If not, again "parts donor" for other examples
which are in better condition.

One man's "two-pence."
Dave S.