Junior G-Man badge

[Neugene]

Hit an old log school (pre-1900) that was converted to what is now an abandoned house today. I have worked this site twice and am digging pretty much everything to clear out the trash in order to get to the good stuff that has to be there.
Much to my surprise I pulled this badge from about 4" in a pretty clean area about 100 yards from the school house.
I have searched the web for info and have found pictures of a different Junior G-Man badge but none like this. Does anyone know anything about this particular style of badge?

Also, any ideas on how to clean it without destroying it?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Nice relic!

No idea on cleaning - depends on what the metal/alloy is. One generally safe method is to soak it in olive oil for a few days. Even that may darken some metals.

Sometimes sticking a find in a raw potato overnight will bring back some life. Ketchup is also a cleaning recipe. Test on the back side.

 

[Bill Ladd]

Nice collectable find....Like a Dick Tracy thing.....
see link below, but those badges are different. I have seen ones like yours sell on E-bay too, so you may wanna check there too....
http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/scoop_article.asp?ai=2023&si=126

As far as cleaning, I think that's about as good as it's gonna get. Anymore scrubbing will wear off the rest of the paint & make it worse. I'd keep it readable. Since the metal looks like it's really drying out, you can try olive oil. But it will darken it alot. Soaking in olive oil will seal it, but also turn it black....
Hh,
Bill

 

[Jigflipper]

[attachment 59681 G-MANFINDEXAMPLE1.jpg]

 

[Tony (NC)]

The enamel held up real well on this one. I love finding these pieces of "Americana"


[attachment 59682 JRGJPG.jpg]

 

[Neugene]

I think that is the same as mine Tony. Where did you find it?

 

[Tony (NC)]

I found it about 50 feet from a log cabin in Fairfield, VA. I was really suprised when it cleaned up so well.