Antique furniture can be enjoyed for years, provided that some basic care is given to its preservation. For many antique furniture owners, the desire to both use their furniture while preserving it, presents a challenging dilemma. That said, it’s a challenge that can be overcome with a proper understanding of how to minimize or eliminate conditions that cause damage. Read more
When looking at a pepperbox pistol, one can’t help but to conjure-up nostalgic visions of a bygone era―a gambler firing upon a card cheat, a gold prospector protecting his claim against hostiles, or a Civil War soldier pulling a pistol from his boot as a last line of defense in heated battle. Read more
We’ve all been ripped off. And if by some chance you haven’t been, your time is coming! The keys to safe, fun, and affordable antiquing comes down to research, experience, and asking antique dealers the right questions. So what are those questions? First, let me briefly address research and experience. Read more
On a recent metal detecting getaway in Augusta, Georgia, I stumbled across a pretty neat plumb hatchet. Okay, I’ll come clean. I wasn’t the first person to find it, as another detectorist had previously unearthed it and tossed it aside as junk. But hey, I have no shame – one man’s junk is another man’s treasure! Based on what I know about the site and the age of objects recovered throughout the day, I suspect the hatchet dates anywhere between 1860 to the early 1900s. Regardless of its age or history, I thought it had a cool look and decided to take it home for a future weekend restoration project. Read more