preserving civil war leather

[Jack Wagon]

A friend has inherited some civil war leather items that are all there but very dry and stiff. I have some pure neatsfoot oil, Pecard antique leather dressing ect. Any experience out there dealing with 160 year old leather goods? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Jw

[Major 2]

Skidmore's leather products

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Here's a link to the Skidmore's website. If you want to talk to someone, it's a family business and one of them will answer the phone. the number is on their site. You can also find it on Amazon. Either the restoration cream or the leather cream are pretty much interchangeable. I think the only difference is the label. It does wonders with old wooden furniture, too. If that doesn't do the trick, then go to other stuff.

[Major 2]

Pecard's has some petroleum by products
Neets Foot produced today is a synthetic blend 

[Jack Wagon]

Thanks guys, I'll give Skidmores a try.  Jw

[Major 2]

This is a WW2 Polish Radom P35 Pistol Leather Holster
from 1943.
It has been with this Erfurt Luger found in Falaise commune, Calvados region of Normandy in Aug. 23. 1944. (D-Day +79)
 Gun and holster were not found together; however the Luger and holster have been together since 1945.They were brought back together, and I acquired the set in 2019.
I applied Shidmore's to the holster which softened the dry leather, it restored an even patina

[Trailrider]

I use Lexol Leather Conditioner, lightly applied. However, if the leather is too badly dry and cracked, it may be that nothing will bring it back. Best of luck!

[Graveyard Jack]

If you get neatsfoot, make sure you get pure neatsfoot oil, not compound. It has mineral oil in it. Or do like I do and use extra virgin olive oil.

https://www.jarnaginco.com/leather%20preservation%20original.htm

[Jack Wagon]

That was an informative article, thanks Jack. The worst piece was the Spencer cartridge box. Extremely dried out and misshapen.The closure strap was broken off at the hole.I skived down a new strap and contact cemented it to the remaining original piece.  I cleaned the gack off it with leather honey cleaner and hit it with Skidmoore's.Since the box will be displayed, I put on some Renaissance wax for extra protection.The Ren wax dissolved the verdigris off of the rivets.When finished the box regained it's shape and I was able to open it without damage.The wooden insert still retained 16 Spencer cartridges. In the interior implement pocket I found a cool spring loaded folding fork and spoon combo tool!  Jw

[DeaconKC]

Well done sir!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Glad to hear your efforts were successful. How cool to find the fork/spoon utensil in the cartridge box as well as the cartridges.

[Jack Wagon]

Thanks for all the sage advise fellas. Leather is a pretty amazing material. I was astonished how a little love closed up those big cracks and brought the life back to that box.  Jw

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks for the additional photos. That looks like total success.

[DeaconKC]

Absolutely stunning.

[Cliff Fendley]

Very nice!

[1961MJS]

Hi
That looks really good.  I will make notes in my leatherwork documents that putting Renaissance Wax over Skidmores works and doesn't screw up the leather.  I was a bit scared to try that.

Later