It is from the same site as the other buckle I found on Sunday. This one was about 200' from the first one. As you can see by the photo the plows got it pretty good. Well, it won't lay down well in a case, soooo....I Googled how to straighten old brass, and here is the result. One of my "science projects" finally worked out. Yeah! Before...and after the propane torch and ice water cooling.
Here is the method. I would not try this on anything valuable, I'd take anything valuable to a jeweler.
In a safe place, you will need a propane torch, metal container with some water and ice cubes in it (to cool the item once hot) and two pairs of pliers. Heat the item with the torch, using one set of pliers to hold it in the flame. It doesn't have to glow red, at least not in my case. When hot, drop it into the ice water. Hold it with one of the pliers and bend slightly with the other. Repeat. You need to bend a little at a time so not to break your item. After 5 heatings and coolings I was able to straighten this out enough to put in a case. If this was a slightly more valuable piece, I would do it at least 10 times. Remember, bend after the item is quenched in the ice water. It darked on its own. The dirt burned off. Success is mine, at last! Most of my "bright science project ideas" wind up in the trash can.
Here is the method. I would not try this on anything valuable, I'd take anything valuable to a jeweler.
In a safe place, you will need a propane torch, metal container with some water and ice cubes in it (to cool the item once hot) and two pairs of pliers. Heat the item with the torch, using one set of pliers to hold it in the flame. It doesn't have to glow red, at least not in my case. When hot, drop it into the ice water. Hold it with one of the pliers and bend slightly with the other. Repeat. You need to bend a little at a time so not to break your item. After 5 heatings and coolings I was able to straighten this out enough to put in a case. If this was a slightly more valuable piece, I would do it at least 10 times. Remember, bend after the item is quenched in the ice water. It darked on its own. The dirt burned off. Success is mine, at last! Most of my "bright science project ideas" wind up in the trash can.
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