Antique bits

[Harry Houdini]

Hi, I've collected a few dozen antique bits and stirrups during lockdown and am looking for advice on their care. I have used Citric Acid to remove rust (amazing stuff!) & am curious what I should use to prevent rust returning. I don't want to use paint as the metal has a lovely natural tone.
How do I distinguish between Iron and steel, and how do I distinguish between handforged and cast bits? I have several old books on bits and saddlery (Elwyn Hartley Edwards, Diane Tuke, Benjamin Latchford) but although they recommend handforged there are no photos to guide me and I can't find information online.

 

[Baywonder]

Hello and welcome!

This part of the forum is extremely quiet, although Admin do ask you to post on here first.

May I suggest you re-post this thread in The Tack Room? You will get more views on there, and potentially more answers. Photographs will always be really useful too.

 

[Harry Houdini]

Thanks, I was a bit confused when I signed in, I'll try again!

 

[Baywonder]

Thanks, I was a bit confused when I signed in, I'll try again!

No problem at all.

You will get used to how this forum works - and if you are not sure how to do anything, just post a question and ask away!