Dried Kar98k sling

ArtyMan

ArtyMan

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Hey guys,

My 1937 K98 came with an original sling, but it is dry and beginning to crack in a few places. What is the best sort of treatment that I can use on the sling to keep it in as best condition as possible? I do have some Danier leather restoring cream, would that be safe to use? One leather keeper tab on the rear buckle of the sling has already snapped and will require glue/stitch.

Thanks!
 
ArtyMan said:
Hey guys,

My 1937 K98 came with an original sling, but it is dry and beginning to crack in a few places. What is the best sort of treatment that I can use on the sling to keep it in as best condition as possible? I do have some Danier leather restoring cream, would that be safe to use? One leather keeper tab on the rear buckle of the sling has already snapped and will require glue/stitch.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I like to use pure Lanolin, or Ballistol. Both work very well and are all natural.

There is no way to completely stop the leather from decaying. All we can do, is keep the cells moist and supple. There was a study done by several museums on how to permanently preserve leather. There is no way it can be done, without changeing its structure to one of rigidity with additives that are silicone based and soaked into the fibres. Then, they must be left in one position in perpetuity with no stress on them, like hanging from a rack etc.
 
I wonder about this also - those who collect German WWII items I suppose must think carefully about how to best preserve the leather, if possible.

A local civil war collector told me they use saddle conditioner - has anyone tried this and is it safe?

-Steve
 
I re-moisturized my k31 sling with oil then lathered it up with Vaseline, so far so good. It doesn't reverse the drying and cracking but it help return some moisture and lock it in, it also makes it more flexible and darkens it a bit to.
 
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