Caring for Slings and Holsters, advice please

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I've been recently going through my collection of milsurps and going over some of the leather slings and holsters. Some of them are starting to get a bit weathered and showing of their 70+ years age.

What are the best reccomendations for caring for, cleaning and preserving these items? I've done a quick internet search but results seem to be... conflicting, so I'm hoping folks here would be able to set me straight.

-Thanks
 
I usually clean with saddle soap. I usually use neatsfoot oil to restore flexibility to dried, stiff, cracked leather, sometimes mink oil for just maintenance. Sometimes I'll use some kiwi shoe polish for colour. I recently tried beeswax product called Leather Better on some boots, I think it might prove to be good for general purpose leather maintenance (www.leatherbetter.ca).
 
if these were new, for use, or your boots or belt, any oil or fat would probably do, but if they are collected artifacts, oils can easily worsen the condition and they are not a reversible process.

see here:
ht tp://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24966

museums now are living with burden paced on them by previous caretakers using pecards and such, your best bet is to keep it in a good environment and dont apply anything
 
scott585 said:
if these were new, for use, or your boots or belt, any oil or fat would probably do, but if they are collected artifacts, oils can easily worsen the condition and they are not a reversible process.

see here:
ht tp://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24966

museums now are living with burden paced on them by previous caretakers using pecards and such, your best bet is to keep it in a good environment and dont apply anything
Click to expand...

^^^^Yes! This!^^^

Store in a good environment and don't use anything on your old leather.

Virtually anything you can put on it will damage it over time.
 
I own 100-200 year old leather pieces. I use Lexol on leather to keep it from drying out, cracking, breaking in two. Used it for 20 years, only one time it caused faint leather stamps to disappear, and can change the colour of some leather.
Some leather items, the more hardy thick straps etc, I leave be, keep in dry room.
*Remember if you don't do anything to the leather, it will, rot, disappear over time, eaten by the mico creatures that live in the animal skin.
It's worth reading up on.
 
I have worked in museums for 41 years, mainly as a Curator. Everyone has different opinions on leather care.

I use LEXOL which was suggested to me by a Muaeum Conservator whom I worked with. Lexol is available from western wear and saddle shops and leather goods places.

I do recommend looking at the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) web site. These experts have pages on caring for steel, brass, leather etc.

Brass or copper in contact with leather, in a humid environment especially, creates verdigris. This is the green build-up that actually can force brass fittings right out of a leather belt, sling or holster. Clean off the verdigris with tools that are softer than brass (e.g. toothpicks) that will not scratch the metal. Store the leather in a drier environment, however, not with dessicant bags. As one fellow opened a No.8 Mk.I sniper scope case and found the scope was fine but the leather scope caps had mummified since the early 1960s as dessicant was packed inside the case.

Store your leather in the main floor of your house, not in the hot dry attic or the damp basement.
 
Interesting coincidence that I found this thread now. I just pulled out a holster I have not touched in a year, could not believe how dry and stiff the leather was. Thanks for the suggestions guys
 
Bick products seem to be pretty good. I use them on all my leathers from my WW2 flight jacket collection to work boots. Their #4 conditioner works nicely. I bought an original scabbard dated 1942 for my Garand and it brought it right back with a nice supple feel and semi gloss finish. Might be worth a try.
 
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