I would not worry about it's loss of "patina" as these Ships Bells would have been pollished to within an inch of the junior seamans life in real life anyway.
What a crying shame that the museum flogged off such national treasures , it used to be full of interesting artefacts to keep one visiting regularly , but now, I hardly ever visit , most of the great items from two world wars are gone.
I would not worry about it's loss of "patina" as these Ships Bells would have been pollished to within an inch of the junior seamans life in real life anyway.
What a crying shame that the museum flogged off such national treasures , it used to be full of interesting artefacts to keep one visiting regularly , but now, I hardly ever visit , most of the great items from two world wars are gone.
Agreed, they know "the price of everything and the value of nothing".
Hi it was only on loan to the museum, they were given the opportunity to buy some or all of it but they didn't want it!