Introduction

The term restoration can be used for a wide range of processes in the preservation of historical and vintage diving equipment. It can mean simply cleaning and for more information on this process follow the link to Care and Cleaning.

It can also mean however a complete rebuilding of the item, something than sometimes happens with pumps and to a lesser extent helmets, boots etc. Collectors often restore pieces to use or to enhance their value whilst dealers restore to improve the chances of selling the item. In either case the process can be regarded as legitimate providing the work is completed by someone who knows what they are doing . After all someone’s life may depend on it!
Often restoration and repair is confused. Repair work is done to achieve functionality whilst restoration is done to restore the item to its original condition which also means restoring its functionality.

Over restoration can reduce the value of an item so care should be exercised. Original finishes such as waxing or French polishing can be removed by chemical stripping but if done the original finish should be reapplied. Don’t be tempted to take a short cut and apply a varnish as this can retain moisture and often leads to cracking or warping of the wood. Applying a lacquer to a helmet after polishing will preserve the polish for a while but the lacquer will degrade in time and will become unsightly. If you require a polished finish there is no substitute for traditional hard work! Generally though the vast majority of collectors desire the natural patina of old copper to the Californian polish job you sometimes see.

We present a series of restoration projects largely shown in pictures.

Salvas

An Italian SALVAS 12 bolt 3 light was received by the restorer in a poor condition. It was discoloured and there were areas of solder to the crown and repairs to the rear of the helmet. The restorer was tasked to return the helmet to near factory condition for its owners.
 

The inside of the bonnet was badly corroded.
 
The air ducts had to be removed to begin work on the bonnet.
 
The interior of the bonnet is cleaned. The crown cog can be seen with the brazing solder clearly visible s a golden outline.
 
Work begins on the bonnet and old and crude solder joints are removed and the bonnet re beaten to restore its natural shape.
 
The inside of the helmet is tinned with a wash coat and new fish tail ducts are made.
 
The air ducts are soldered in position and the inside is given a final coat of tin.
 
The helmet is given a final polish and is ready to be returned to its owner.

Thanks to Maurizio Masucci for sharing these pictures of the SALVAS restoration.

Alfred Hale

It could be argued this next item was merely a candidate for care and cleaning however it quickly became apparent that is was almost a restoration project as may be seen below.

The helmet had once been painted. Sometime in the past a chemical paint stripper was applied and left on the helmet where it congealed to the lower part of the bonnet. The exaust valve was completed covered with the residue. In a couple of places you can see a grey residue around the brales. This was a hard cement filler added to fill the gap between th brales and the coselett.
On careful examination you may be able to see the bonnet is cross threaded onto the corselett and is fitted back to front.
The whole helmet was immersed in warm water initially to remove all detritus and dirt.It was then cleaned with mild hand washing gel soap.
The wing nuts were gently removed after applying a patent nut remover solution. and the brales taken off the corselett.
The breastplate was placed on a former to ensure the coselett was not distorted when removing the hard filler.

A further appication of mild paint remover was applied and cleaned several times each time leaving the solution on the helmet for a minute or less.Normally harsh chemical solutions are not recommended for use on soft metals such as copper but in this case there was no alternative. The chemical used was a non methyl chloride stripper.

When the entire residue was removed after several applications the metal was cleaned with acetone and lightly polished using a soft nylon scouring pad, renewing frequently.
The whole process took about 8 hours but the results worth it! Please remember this is not process which will necessarily apply to other helmets just one which worked well in this case.
 
The finished helmet has been refitted the correct way around and lightly polished with wax.

Galeazzi


Looking at the Galeazzi helmet above it may be difficult to imagine why this helmet has been submitted for restoration.
It has been a common practice to remove the side protection bars from Galeazzi helmets particularly when the helmet is used in France.
French divers prefer unprotected windows as the bars obstruct the diver’s field of view. Italian helmets have small windows so bars can make a big difference to the peripheral vision of the diver.

Close up view of the side windows showing the outline where the bars were removed.


The protective bar assembly is constructed and placed in position to be welded to the window frame. Note the glass has been removed.

The bar assembly is brazed to the window frame.
 
The bar assembly has now been brazed into position and cleaned and polished. The glass has been refitted.


The helmet is finished and ready for return to its owner.

Thanks to Maurizio Masucci for providing pictures of this restoration project.

Please email us at info@divingheritage.com if you can show us a piece of equipment you may have restored, we will be pleased to hear from you.