Does my Infanterie Sturmabzeichen have the dreaded zinc pest?

[KSH]

Hi guys,

I have noticed some kind of white powdery substance covering small parts of my badge. I have marked with red where it is most prominent. It seems to surround the trigger of the K98 but not affecting the trigger itself?

Is this indeed zinc pest and if so, how should I treat my badge?

Thanks in advance.

- Kenneth

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Kenneth, I wonder if this is not some old metal polish residue? A wash with soapy water and an old soft toothbrush should remove this. Zinc pest should be done the same, then the badge carefully dried off and a little Vaseline or Ren Wax applied to the badge to seal it from the air.

Zinc pest cannot be cured, only slowed down.

Cheers, Ade.

[Nige H]

Hi Kenneth,
at worst you could remove the "White oxide" by hand using a scalpel etc, this is the normal technique employed by museums to remove such corrosion, then as Ade has recommended seal the surface to exclude the oxygen and moisture content, then as along as the surface stays sealed and the items stored in a moisture free environment then you will have no further problems.

Nige.

[KSH]

Thank you for answering. I will give the soap and water a go.

- Kenneth