Antique holster treatment

[76shuvlinoff]

Folks,
I recently found and purchased a soft shell 1944 cxb holster for my Dad's bring-back P38. It has wear and some cracking but no rips and appears to be in decent shape for it's age. It is brown and there are not a ton of brown ones out there.

What should and shouldn't I do to preserve the leather? I know not to store the pistol in it but what should I treat a 68 year old holster with?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Leatherman-Cowboy]

Use neutral Kiwi polish.The polish will penetrate the leather and also make it easy to shine up.
Thank you,
Henry

 

[SleazyRider]

Do nothing. Leave it alone.

 

[SleazyRider]

More here. Skip to "conclusions" if you're so inclined: http://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/09-01.pdf

 

[rcmodel]

You better do something or the cracking is only going to get worse until it self distructs.

I use Kiwi Camp Dry Leather Lotion on all my old leather.

And follow that with the Kiwi neutral paste shoe wax.

rc