How to Preserve Military Medals for Years
Share
A medal is not simply an object of metal and ribbon. Whether it marks operational service, long service, a campaign, gallantry or a family member’s contribution, it carries a record that cannot be replaced. Knowing how to preserve military medals properly protects both their physical condition and the story attached to them - for the wearer, their regiment, corps, ship, station, squadron and family.
The aim is not to make older medals look newly issued. Natural age, restrained patina and the signs of honest wear can form part of their character. Good preservation means preventing avoidable damage while retaining their authenticity.
How to preserve military medals without causing damage
The greatest risks are often well meant. Vigorous polishing, unsuitable cleaning fluids and damp storage can do more harm in an afternoon than decades of careful keeping. Handle medals by their edges where possible, with clean, dry hands. Cotton or nitrile gloves are useful when arranging a collection or preparing medals for display, particularly if polished surfaces show fingerprints readily.
Avoid touching ribbons unnecessarily. The oils and moisture on hands can mark fabric, while repeated folding can weaken old ribbon fibres. If medals are court mounted, handle the complete bar from its firm backing rather than lifting individual medals by their ribbons or suspension rings.
Before storing or displaying a medal group, remove loose dust gently with a soft, clean brush. Do not use household polish, metal wadding, abrasive cloths or chemical dips. These can strip original finish, scratch a surface, remove detail and leave residues that continue to react with the metal. The same caution applies to ribbon cleaning: do not wash, bleach or spray ribbons with fabric treatment.
If a medal has active corrosion, a sticky residue, severe tarnish, mould or a fragile ribbon, leave it as it is until professional advice is available. An accredited conservator can assess the material and recommend treatment without compromising inscriptions, plating or historic evidence.
Choose the right storage environment
A stable environment is more valuable than an elaborate container kept in the wrong place. Medals should be stored somewhere cool, dry and protected from strong sunlight. Lofts, garages, sheds and damp cupboards are poor choices because temperatures and humidity can rise and fall sharply.
Direct sunlight fades ribbon colours and may dry out textile fibres. Persistent damp encourages mould and corrosion, especially where different metals meet at clasps, suspension bars or pins. At the other extreme, placing medals beside a radiator or in very dry, overheated conditions can make old ribbons brittle.
A bedroom cupboard or living-area cabinet away from windows, external walls and heat sources is generally more suitable. If the property is prone to condensation, deal with the underlying moisture issue rather than relying only on a storage box. A small silica gel sachet may help within an enclosed case, but it should be checked and replaced as directed. It is not a remedy for a damp room.
Keep medals away from the materials that commonly cause trouble over time. These include:
- PVC plastics, which can release damaging chemicals as they age.
- Ordinary cardboard and acidic paper, which may discolour ribbons and metal.
- Rubber bands, adhesive tape and sticky labels, which can leave residues.
- Bare timber or untreated felt, which may contain acids, dyes or moisture.
Medal boxes and display cases
A purpose-made medal box offers protection from dust, knocks and handling while allowing a group to remain together. For many families, an oak medal box or presentation box also provides a fitting way to keep medals, photographs, citations and service records in one considered place.
Choose a box with sufficient depth for mounted medals. Crowding can place pressure on the ribbons, pins and clasps whenever the lid closes. Ideally, medals should lie flat on an inert, padded base or be held securely in a way that does not strain the suspensions. A lining should be colourfast and free from loose fibres that could catch on pins.
Display cases bring a different balance. They make a service story visible, but the medals will be exposed to more light and occasional handling. A glazed case should be positioned out of direct sun and away from fireplaces, radiators and kitchens. If a case is opened frequently, ensure each medal group is properly secured before it is moved.
For a commemorative presentation, engraving a cap badge, ship crest or RAF insignia on a quality medal box can establish the unit connection without altering the medals themselves. It is a respectful option for retirement, remembrance or a family handover. The engraved box becomes part of the presentation, while the medal group remains untouched and capable of being worn or professionally remounted if required.
Keep ribbons, clasps and mounting in order
Ribbons are usually more vulnerable than the medals they support. They fade, fray and absorb moisture more easily than metal. Keep them clear of sunlight, avoid folding the same point repeatedly and do not attempt to remove old stains with water. Where a ribbon has become weak, it is better to support the group in a box or case than to keep wearing it.
For serving personnel and veterans who intend to wear medals at parades, remembrance services or regimental occasions, inspect the mounting before the event. Check that brooch pins close securely, clasps are not loose and medals do not strike one another excessively. A qualified medal mounter can repair or remount a group where needed, using correct ribbon and appropriate court or swing mounting according to the wearer’s requirements.
There is a trade-off here. A new ribbon or remount may improve safe wear and presentation, but it can change the appearance of an original group. For a historic family set, retain any removed original ribbon or mounting materials with the medals, clearly labelled and stored separately in acid-free tissue. That preserves useful provenance for future generations.
Record the story alongside the medals
The best-preserved medal group can still lose much of its meaning if the family record disappears. Make a written inventory while information is available. Record the recipient’s full name, service number, regiment, corps, Royal Navy branch or RAF trade where known, along with medal names, award dates, theatres of service and any inscriptions on the rim.
Photograph the obverse and reverse of every medal, the ribbons, mounting and any accompanying paperwork. Include copies of photographs in uniform, citations, letters, discharge papers and relevant service documents. Keep digital copies in more than one secure location, but retain original documents in a dry, protected folder.
If the medals belong to a relative, ask questions now. A short account of where they served, the people they remembered and the occasions on which the medals were worn gives a medal bar its human context. Details such as an antecedent regiment, a ship’s crest or a squadron marking may also explain a connection that is not immediately obvious from the medals alone.
When to seek specialist help
Professional conservation is worthwhile when medals show green corrosion, powdery deposits, cracked enamel, mould, water damage or detached components. It is also sensible before attempting to separate medals that have become stuck together. A specialist can distinguish between harmless age-related patina and active deterioration.
For valuable, rare or gallantry groups, obtain clear photographs and a condition record before any work is carried out. Do not permit cleaning simply to improve sale appearance. Original finish, naming, ribbon wear and mounting details can all matter to the history and value of the group.
A well-chosen box, careful handling and a written service record are modest acts of stewardship. They ensure that a medal group remains more than a collection of decorations: it remains a recognisable connection to the individual who earned the right to wear it.