Replica Swords and Armour Care Guide

The Royal Armouries Conservation team have compiled this guide to caring for and displaying your replica arms and armour.

The Royal Armouries Museum shop stocks a large range of replica arms and armour from full-size reproduction swords and gauntlets to miniature sword letter openers and helmets. Our replicas are intended to be displayed pride-of-place in your home and are not recommended for any other use. 

View our range of replica swords, helmets and armour

MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION

Replica arms and armour is made from mild steel and may have parts made of brass, leather and textile. It is important to look after your replica as it may be at risk of deterioration if it is kept in the wrong environment or handled incorrectly.

CLEANING AND CONSERVATION

The chemicals in the sweat on our hands can leave etched fingerprints on metal that are hard to remove. We therefore strongly recommend that you wear nitrile gloves when handling your replica (not permeable cotton gloves). When handling swords and daggers be aware that even replica blades can be sharp.

There are many materials and techniques that can be used to clean and conserve replica armour. We recommend regular dusting with a soft brush or clean lint-free cloth. Avoid using metal polish, as this can leave residues that are difficult to remove.

To remove light corrosion from mild steel without a decorative surface finish (i.e. with no paint, blueing, gilding etc.) you can use very fine, '0000'-grade, steel wool lubricated with a very small quantity of a general-purpose lubricating oil or a microcrystalline wax, taking care to remove any excess. For smaller areas, the steel wool can be wrapped round the head of a bamboo- or cocktail stick. In all cases, start in a discrete area and stop if the process appears to be causing further damage. Be careful not to get any lubricant on leather or textile components. After cleaning you can apply a light protective coating of microcrystalline wax to the metal using a clean lint-free cloth before gently buffing the surface. When using any oils, waxes or other chemicals please always follow the product manufacturer’s safety guidance, work in a well-ventilated area and use the correct personal protective equipment.

View our full range of replica cleaning and care products

DISPLAY AND STORAGE

Your replica is best displayed in a stable environment in order to minimise deterioration caused by fluctuations in temperature and moisture levels in the air. Ideally house your replica in a display case or use inert packaging for storage and transport. It is recommend that you avoid displaying your replica on exterior walls, near to windows/doors or above a heat source such as a radiator or fireplace. If there are textile or leather components, consider keeping light levels low to avoid fading and embrittlement. In all cases avoid exposure to direct sunlight.

View our full range of replica display stands and wall mounts