16mm film from WWII and the Korean War

**08SMLE48** · 01-02-2023, 04:24 AM

Here is about 10,000 ft of 16mm film I have acquired. I got it from a buddy who received it from an anonymous person. It’s mostly from the Korean War and it Army film. I have know idea what’s all on it. If anyone knows of a conservator on the East Coast in or near North Carolina let me know. It smells strongly of vinegar so I know it’s starting to deteriorate but the film still seems strong. I think it’s pretty neat and curious to what’s on it. Any advice or recommendations are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 01-02-2023 04:24 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Anderson** · 01-02-2023, 09:12 AM

Yes, you need the help of a professional film conservator. There may be some Film Libraries that would be interested to help for what might contain some previously unseen footage. Assuming it's of historical interest and not someone's holiday film.

**Rakkasan187** · 01-02-2023, 06:11 PM

The vinegar smell is the film and chemicals breaking down, and eventually the film will become brittle and crumble. This stage that the film is in is very precarious and it is best to keep the film stored in a cool place for now until you decide what to do with it.

Several years ago (2016-2017ish) I contracted a company out of Marietta, Pennsylvania to convert several hundred reel to reel films as well as numerous audio interviews with some very famous individuals for the US Army NCO Museum several years ago. We had oral interviews with General Omar Bradley, Most of the Sergeants Major of the Army, Former Prisoners of War, General Haines, Westmoreland and numerous others. We also had a lot of film footage from Vietnam and other areas that were in need of conservation/preservation.

My Digital Conversion did a very good job on the tapes, film and other items we had sent to them. The arrangement I had with the company was to then ship the film and other items to Carlisle Barracks or AHEC (US Army Heritage and Education Center) which serves as the repository for the Army's photo and film collection. We could not properly store and continue to conserve the film in the hot dry temperatures of Far West Texas and we had no need to keep the originals since we had copies made and they were all put on CD discs and DVDs. They also have a large conservation and preservation area that conserves and preserves many of the rare photos and films so we had them shipped to AHEC.

The US Army museum's that I am curator at still have over 100,000 photo archives and film that we are in the process of digitizing. Once digitized we will retain the digital copies and the intent is to ship the original negatives and film to Carlisle Barrack, Pennsylvania for long term storage and preservation. This is a long term project that will take about 5 more years since this is only one portion of my collection and a small portion of my conservation efforts.

Here is a link to My Digital Conversion:

Try giving them a call to see if they may be able to help you in your digitization project.

My Digital Conversion | Personal and professional media transfer specialists

Happy New Year, best regards

Smitty

**08SMLE48** · 01-02-2023, 06:35 PM

Thanks Smitty. That’s exactly what I was looking for and I’ll keep them in mind. I’m not gonna be able to convert or start the restoration process for a bit so in the mean time would you recommend putting them in an air tight box with moisture absorbers? And if so which would be best?

**Rakkasan187** · 01-02-2023, 07:04 PM

Don't put them in an airtight box due to the "off gassing" that is already happening (hence the vinegar smell). You don't want to keep the off gasses sealed up as that could actually cause a spontaneous combustion. A cool place with mild humidity (35 percent) will keep the film from drying out anymore. Film needs to breathe.

The museum has a freezer/refrigerator with variable controls for very deep long term storage but I will be honest with you, I have not used it yet for film.

You can put them in a plastic storage tub and either leave the lid off or drill some holes in the lid and sides of the tub to let the film (breathe). I would leave them in the original boxes but with the lids off. Store them in a cool dry place where insects, water and other factors will not get to the film. Ensure that the temperature and humidity are controlled the best you can.

Periodically check on them if they will be stored for a while.

Here are a few links to sites that we use periodically. The National Park Service Conservo Grams are helpful as well as the Library of Congress.

Motion Picture Film Guidance: Storing Motion Picture Film | National Archives.

Film Preservation: Caring for 8mm & 16mm Film Reels

Care, Handling, and Storage of Motion Picture Film - Collections Care (Preservation, Library of Congress)

https://www.nps.gov/museum/publicati...gram/14-04.pdf

Hope this helps and don't hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions..

Best regards

Smitty

**08SMLE48** · 01-02-2023, 08:14 PM

Thanks Smitty. This’ll be tricky. I live in eastern North Carolina so hot, humid, and lots of bugs. And I’m afraid the wife will toss them out if they stink up the house! (Not really she wouldn’t do that but she would raise hell about it haha!) I’ll try what you suggested with some ingenuity to keep the smell down. Thanks again