Part 4/6:
The narrator notes that encountering items with dried-out dark grease is quite common, especially among older tools, machinery, and even antique guns. Many of these items have just sat untouched for decades, accumulating layers of dried lubricant rather than rust. This discovery is a reminder to treat these artifacts with a nuanced understanding: what appears to be damage could simply be preservation or neglect, not actual deterioration.
For example, a baby lathe dating back to 1837 was cleaned up nicely, revealing a well-maintained piece of history. The narrator points out that such items, despite their age, can be quite resilient and salvageable with minimal work.