Tumbling Head Stamps

5 mile

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I have hundreds of old head stamps and was wondering if any of you ever tried tumbling them.

I realize these may be different than brass shell casings as far as shape, so maybe something other than stainless pins would work better. SS Jewelers mix, walnut shells, rice?

Keep in mind these are pretty tarnished and weathered.

Thanks
 
Keep in mind these are pretty tarnished and weathered.

I've often wondered about tumbling my shotshell headstamps also, but I've been too concerned about how they'd hold up to give it a try. They're not just weathered - some of them seem downright fragile! I'm worried that some of them would literally disintegrate in the tumbler.

I love to hear if anyone has had success trying it, and what medium/method they used.
 
I've tumbled tons on them with just a shot of dawn and some aquarium gravel. Most come out great. The really fragile ones will sometimes break down but it's just a headstamp, not like there is any value to them anyway.
 
I've cleaned some of mine up with 0000 steel wool. Works very well and they come up relatively shiny so you can make out any details.
 
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