Re: Old photo of object found.
Mr Nibbs,
Congrats on your recovery.
Now, get that back in fresh water, completely submerged! The container shown is too small, unless you want to be constantly changing the water. Use fresh water, and for the first 3 months, change it about 2 times a week. You can check the pH with a simple tester, but change the water when the pH reads 1 point less than the initial fill (ie if your water reads 6.7 on initial fill, change when you get to 5.7)
If when you have it out of the water, if it starts fizzing, get it back in the water ASAP, the gunpowder has started to react with the air.
You will need to keep the artefact in fresh water for about 3 to 5 years. When the pH balances out, you know you have balanced the artefact.
At this point, as you have removed the concretion, there is little need to x-ray the artefact. Should you want to, for fun, find a vet with a portable, as these are far more powerful than ones in a hospital. The films is about $20/sheet...but you will likely not see anything as the metal is too thick.
It would be prudent to save the concretions you have removed, and xray those for small pieces that may have been coagulated with artefact.
After the freshwater bath has stabilized the artefact, you then need to consider if you want to take further steps such as electrolysis and final finish. The electrolysis will involve a cathotic reaction with anodes such as platinum coated bars. This will take about 18 months to 2 years to complete. The finish is your choice after that, perhaps tannins or others.
Again, this is at least a 5 year process...there is no need to rush.
