Old brass fire extinguisher - to clean or not to clean?

[Joe777Cool]

i bought an antique Floafome brass/copper fire extinguisher for $15, its rather dirty but in really nice shape. Some green patina in areas. Looking on on eBay they mostly seem to be polished up. Thoughts?

 

[nathan104]

Its value is as a display piece or mancave item and you will get more for it all shined up.

 

[diggummup]

This is one of the items that it is okay to polish up and clean. Anytime I see a restored one it's nice and shiny, like new.

 

[Tallone]

A lot of guys make fire extinguishers into lamps. Most of the ones I have seen have been polished but I suppose there are some who would prefer the patina. I'm not sure if polishing helps or hurts the sale value.

 

[ARC]

I have also seen them made into umbrella / cane stands placed by front door... firemen love em. They bring more money in northern states than southern from what I understand.

 

[jerseyben]

A family friend bought an old fire extinguisher like this for $90 from an antique store for her firefighter husband. So, I know from this experience, that they do sell.