Thread: From gift to restoration in an evening

My wife went with her mom & the kids to a local antique store today. I had to work today but she decided to bring me a little present. It's a 5/8 Joseph Haywood & Company spike point. By the shape of the tail, I'd say it dates back to about the mid-nineteenth century. The only issue with it was that the scales were cracked clean through. So, what did I decide to do about it? Well... this.

Before:



After:



I decided to keep the patina intact and simply rescale the blade. The new scales are made from African Rosewood. I even salvaged the original wedge (yes, I know it's lead. I was careful). So, in the span of an evening, I took an antique store relic that had seen better days and gave it another hundred years or so. More photos can be found here.