Some question on this rusty tetsubin

[Mterpstra]

Hey,

So I saw a tetsubin for sale at some antique place. The asking price is 35 euros(40 bucks) and the store says it's presumably from early 1900. That seems to good to be true. Well it probably is and it's probably not from that time. I'm not very experienced but judging from the price it's just isn't i quess. The main reason the price is rather low is because of the rust on the thing.

I have some questions on this i hope you can help me with. First of all, Is this cleanable? The inside from what is visible doesn't seem too bad. It's mostly the outside.

And the second question: Is it worth cleaning? I am searching for a non-glazed tetsubin for a reasonalbe price so I am considering buying. Maybe even as an educational piece. But I don't know how long the cleaning will take and if it's even posible. Considering there are no leeks for instance.

I know the pictures are not so good, sorry.

tetsubin1.JPG (21.45 KiB) Viewed 1232 times

tetsubin2.JPG (18.45 KiB) Viewed 1232 times

tetsubin3.JPG (50.48 KiB) Viewed 1232 times

Thanks!

Matt

[kyarazen]

this is probably recent.

from iwachu..

probably a kyusu size? 500ml?....

[kyarazen]

something similar..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251583182867

[pedant]

interesting find.

despite not knowing much about tetsubins, i somehow feel comfortable saying that it is pretty easily restorable if there are no leaks (from excessive corrosion or a crack). i would be tempted to take the basic approach used to restore cast iron cookware (e.g. neglected/antique skillets). google things like 'cast iron restoration' and 'cast iron rust removal'.

repairing a small leak is also likely possible if you can weld.