Displaying/Storing Collection

Good afternoon all,

Let me start by saying if I’m posting this in the wrong sub forum, I apologize. Mods please feel free to advise me and/or move the thread.

Given that my small, humble collection is starting to grow, I’d like to ask about how folks are displaying, storing and protecting their beautiful pieces. Specifically, I’d like to ask about the following;

1. Rifles - On this I am curious as to humidity. I have lots of hunting and sporting firearms and I’m aware the rule of thumb is keep humidity between 40-60%, however having recently added a beautiful K98k to the herd, I can’t help but be curious. I may be overthinking this one, but please feel free to chime in.

2. Flags/Cloth Items - Pretty broad question here, but I’d like to display my pieces rather than have them stored away. I know some may say “just hang it”, but again I want to protect these historical items. Just hang? Put behind glass? Humidity? I’d love to hear opinions on this.

3. Leather Goods - Ammo pouches, belt, etc. This I am very curious about as I understand that treating leather is not something favourable for collection pieces, but do you simply hold a certain humidity and accept that the leather will deteriorate over the years?

4. Helmets- so this one is a big one for me as I’m in the process of acquiring a stunning M35 DD and I want to ensure I look after this piece as best I can right from the point I receive it. My intent is to display on a pedestal type stand under glass. I want the helmet to be propped upon a quality stand (think mannequin head style display), but I want to ensure I’m not damaging the liner, steel etc. As well, this ties in with the previous point on leather, humidity etc.

I know these questions have likely been discussed at length before by many “new guys” before me, but as I’m new to collecting historical pieces, I wanted to steer the discussion so as to get specific details for the questions in my head.

I thank you in advance for any insight, advice, etc. that you may offer.

Thank you.

I live in a high heat high humidity environment. I have no problems with any of the above collectables. Damage will be caused by the following: humidity; heat / temp extremes; UV light; insects; water / flooding.

Humidity - properly HVAC’d room with a floor dehumidifier and a temp / humidity meter. 45-50% humidity is the museum standard. Too dry and stocks and leather have problems.

Temperature- see above

UV light - no sunlight or fluorescent lighting.

Insects - put out traps and spray for them.

Water / flooding - avoid using basements and if you do put your safes / stuff on raised platforms. Dont put a collectable room under attic water lines, attic water heaters, or next to bathrooms and washer lines if you can help it. It’s never a bad idea to have everything several inches off the floor.

I also recommend at least commercial grade steel doors with piano hinges and dead bolts. I like Slatwall for display of everything.

Cheers,
HB

Thank you for your reply, some great info you’ve offered. Much appreciated!

This is how I display some of my rifle collection. We live in a dry climate, no worries of humidity. Worst aspect is the occasional dusting. The racks are made by a company in Texas. Gunstands.com

G2

This seller on eBay makes stands for helmets and other items. I've not purchased any from him but they look very nice.


G2

Museums keep humidity constant. Ups and down means condensation can form. I'd just use a humidifier and have a monitor.

For shooters, RIG Gun Grease is good enough for metal. For museum objects that won't be fired, clean it (you can clean wood with distilled water and cotton rags - rub gently). When the object is clean, apply Renaissance Wax on all metal, wood and leather. It's PH neutral, is microcrystalline and will protect your object. It's developed by the British Museum's conservators and is used by museum conservators worldwide. Remember to protect the bore.

Fabric - it should be stored flat. Think of those big map cases. That's exactly what you get. Hanging them stretches the fabric but if it's a uniform, it's OK to have it on a manikin. Just don't leave it on a hanger. The manikin should be in a vitrine that is almost air tight (bug proof) and most museums haave humidity meter in it. If it's stored in the cabinet that I mentioned, use acid free material between the metal and the cloth that rests on it. Then cover it with another piece off acid free material. Sunlight damages and weakens fabrics BUT insects are easily the biggest threat to cloth. Yummy! So keep your eye out for bugs or bug eggs.

Handling of all objects is with white cotton gloves. You don't want to transfer oils or acids (or grease from foods so wash your mitts before you put on those gloves) and handle an object.

gunnertwo said:

This is how I display some of my rifle collection. We live in a dry climate, no worries of humidity. Worst aspect is the occasional dusting. The racks are made by a company in Texas. Gunstands.com

G2

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Thank you; you have a beautiful collection, I appreciate you sharing.

Blackpowderresearcher said:

Museums keep humidity constant. Ups and down means condensation can form. I'd just use a humidifier and have a monitor.

For shooters, RIG Gun Grease is good enough for metal. For museum objects that won't be fired, clean it (you can clean wood with distilled water and cotton rags - rub gently). When the object is clean, apply Renaissance Wax on all metal, wood and leather. It's PH neutral, is microcrystalline and will protect your object. It's developed by the British Museum's conservators and is used by museum conservators worldwide. Remember to protect the bore.

Fabric - it should be stored flat. Think of those big map cases. That's exactly what you get. Hanging them stretches the fabric but if it's a uniform, it's OK to have it on a manikin. Just don't leave it on a hanger. The manikin should be in a vitrine that is almost air tight (bug proof) and most museums haave humidity meter in it. If it's stored in the cabinet that I mentioned, use acid free material between the metal and the cloth that rests on it. Then cover it with another piece off acid free material. Sunlight damages and weakens fabrics BUT insects are easily the biggest threat to cloth. Yummy! So keep your eye out for bugs or bug eggs.

Handling of all objects is with white cotton gloves. You don't want to transfer oils or acids (or grease from foods so wash your mitts before you put on those gloves) and handle an object.

Click to expand...

Excellent information, thank you kindly!

I have worked in the historic preservation world for the past 3 years, and working with preservation experts has given me a lot of common-sense rules to follow in storage solutions.

#1 Don't do stuff to collectables you can't un-do. The biggest threat to these items is us. We see so many more rifles posted here collectors or bubba f&*%$d up compared to ones which were stored improperly. Be conservative with what you do to your stuff. Always take the least invasive option first. Dirty stock? Use a damp soft towel to wipe it down, don't go straight for the acetone.

#2 Don't store stuff in a way which will stress it. Hanging a rifle by it's sling: bad idea. Hanging uniforms in direct sunlight: bad idea. Storing stuff in a wet environment: bad idea. Be gentle with it. Use common sense.

#3 Check you stuff on a regular basis. Every 6 months I clean my rifle bores. I run a oiled patch down and see how it looks. If it's dirty I use a brush and solvent. I keep an eye on the finish- is it growing rust anywhere?

If you adhere to these lo-tech common sense rules you are doing great- better then most collectors to be honest.

If you notice things happening despite the above free and lo-tech solutions- get a bit scientific. I noticed rust growing on my rifles in the safe during one of my 6 month check-ups. So I bought two of these things:


These are amazing. They last about 1-2 months and then you plug them in overnight to dry them back out. They have a window to see how damp the descant is. I have two on a rotation in my safe. So one is always working. I just keep an eye on them.

I rotate some of my collectible rifles from my safe to my gun room wall periodically.

I use slatwall. Buy quality cored slatwall panels. You can do rifles, helmets, pistols, gear, or mix them. There are pretty cheap display accessories for anything you’d want to display, including uniforms.

Also have several curio cabinets, small collection of helmets and daggers.

Hambone said:

I use slatwall. Buy quality cored slatwall panels. You can do rifles, helmets, pistols, gear, or mix them. There are pretty cheap display accessories for anything you’d want to display, including uniforms.

Click to expand...

Wow! Beautiful collection you have there!

I’m curious; may I ask what your helmet stands are, both the slat wall and the ones above?

I just received my first helmet and my plan is to display in a glass cabinet, but I’d like it not just laying on the glass shelf. Of course, main concern is protecting the liner and shell from damage, so I have to figure out out the best material to be contacting the helmet/liner and where it should be contacting.

Thank you for your post.

Jhr98k said:

Also have several curio cabinets, small collection of helmets and daggers.

Click to expand...

Beautiful collection and display!

Do you find any negative factors with having your helmets laid directly on the glass shelves?

Thank you for your post.

Slug870 said:

Wow! Beautiful collection you have there!

I’m curious; may I ask what your helmet stands are, both the slat wall and the ones above?

I just received my first helmet and my plan is to display in a glass cabinet, but I’d like it not just laying on the glass shelf. Of course, main concern is protecting the liner and shell from damage, so I have to figure out out the best material to be contacting the helmet/liner and where it should be contacting.

Thank you for your post.

Click to expand...

Search for “slatwall hat display” or whatever you wish to display. Understands that on the hat displays the length of the vertical post is important. A German helmet, US helmet, sits lower than a Commonwealth Mk.II. Mk.IIs look better on a lower hat holder.

Hambone said:

Search for “slatwall hat display” or whatever you wish to display. Understands that on the hat displays the length of the vertical post is important. A German helmet, US helmet, sits lower than a Commonwealth Mk.II. Mk.IIs look better on a lower hat holder.

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Thank you once again!

Hambone's Slatwall deal is awesome, flexible, and allows you to display a wide variety of items, and change the configuration as desired...

I went vertical, used pieces of molding attached to the wall at the right height, then dowels inserted to hold the barrels steady, the carpeted floor holds the butts in place, but at a previous house where my carpet was basically commercial office carpet squares, so was pretty smooth, I used wood 1x2's screwed into the floor as a full length chock if you get my meaning...

pzjgr said:

Hambone's Slatwall deal is awesome, flexible, and allows you to display a wide variety of items, and change the configuration as desired...

I went vertical, used pieces of molding attached to the wall at the right height, then dowels inserted to hold the barrels steady, the carpeted floor holds the butts in place, but at a previous house where my carpet was basically commercial office carpet squares, so was pretty smooth, I used wood 1x2's screwed into the floor as a full length chock if you get my meaning...

Click to expand...

Holy shite, I’m not sure if I had a small heart attack or an orgasm looking at your incredible collection!

Thank you for sharing and for another great display option.

I use slatwall, also. On my helmets I toyed around with different options, finally settling on a custom bracket I built that holds the rim. Went this direction because of the concern with the interior hat holder style and fragile liners as well as the bracket I developed allows for the efficient and unencumbered display.

jsz said:

I use slatwall, also. On my helmets I toyed around with different options, finally settling on a custom bracket I built that holds the rim. Went this direction because of the concern with the interior hat holder style and fragile liners as well as the bracket I developed allows for the efficient and unencumbered display.

Click to expand...

Man, that slatwall is awesome, loved it first when Hambone went with it, it's just so versatile...great display!