Fixing Taco'd Items

USCGD

Jr. Member
Aug 5, 2019
34
271
Western NY
Detector(s) used
Minelab Equinox 800
Nokta Legend
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Hello. I recently found a Civil War soldier's ID badge (see my profile for the post). The badge is quite bent, and I would love to straighten it.
The badge is very thin silver, and I will not attempt to straighten it if there is any chance of it being damaged. Does anyone have experience in this, and could help me out? Thanks!
 

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Upvote 3
I would say that silver is a very forgiving material and I suspect that a silversmith artist could easily restore an item such as that without affecting the engraving.
 

Nice find. If you did not want to take it to a jeweler, Wrap it in a shop towel ( blue paper towel) then put it in a flat metal surface ( bench vice) tap it very softly with a plastic tip hammer
 

Nice find. If you did not want to take it to a jeweler, Wrap it in a shop towel ( blue paper towel) then put it in a flat metal surface ( bench vice) tap it very softly with a plastic tip hammer
You must be careful doing this especially if the silver or silver alloy is work hardened, which is often the case with finished products made from silver. The silver must first be heated and annealed.
 

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