Maintenance of horn parts

[MAXM]

Can someone give me some suggestions about the best way to maintain some old gun parts (buttplate and forend tip of a beautiful 1884 W.W. Greener shotgun) made of horn?
They are still in very good condition and I'd like to preserve them.
Thanks,
Maxm

 

[JNewell]

I would do nothing more than waxing them with a high quality paste wax like Renaissance. (sp? too lazy to look it up) Horn is basically the same stuff as your fingernails, and it made up of layers of the stuff. I can tell you from sad experience that if it gets wet it will usually start to "delaminate" and you won't be able to restore the original surface patina. At least, I haven't found a way to do so...

 

[Sunray]

Try some clear acrylic spray. Krylon is an example.

 

[MAXM]

Many thanks!