I found this wonderful relic at a yard sale maybe 12 or 15 years ago, and while it is essentially intact, it is fragile enough that I don't ever plan to restore it or put it in the water. The black paint evident on the rails and thwart looks to be original, or nearly so, and there is evidence of black paint on the outside of the hull, too, but it is now almost devoid of any coating whatsoever. I wonder about the seat- is it possible that it is original? I can't imagine this being a two person boat, and one paddler wouldn't sit at the end like that unless they were a mouse. There is some black paint on that, too. The boat was once used as a drag by a trapper in local streams here in southern Rhode Island, and came equipped with a couple of traps and skinning boards. The boat is a bit under 10' 6" long, with a beam of about 28".
On to today's question- I've been asked to display this canoe at a local historical society museum, on temporary loan. I've had the probably blasphemous thought of applying a soak of boiled linseed oil/turpentine mix to the outer hull, to brighten it up a bit and also maybe limber it up. It is dry as dust. This is the same mixture I use on the early nineteenth century wooden clock movements that I restore, and the wood loves it, but since I'm never in favor of well intentioned but ill-advised work on antique anything, I thought I'd ask here for a yay, nay, or maybe. Thanks.
On to today's question- I've been asked to display this canoe at a local historical society museum, on temporary loan. I've had the probably blasphemous thought of applying a soak of boiled linseed oil/turpentine mix to the outer hull, to brighten it up a bit and also maybe limber it up. It is dry as dust. This is the same mixture I use on the early nineteenth century wooden clock movements that I restore, and the wood loves it, but since I'm never in favor of well intentioned but ill-advised work on antique anything, I thought I'd ask here for a yay, nay, or maybe. Thanks.
