I need some advice on an OLD holster.

[Realbigo]

I was wiping down my Grandfathers WW2 issue 1911 today(Ithica made) and I noticed 2 things on the holster. First, I live in a really humid climate, and its getting a green gunk where ever the brass hardware and leather come into contact. I know that this eventually eats the leather away as I had it happen w/ a nothing french surplus holster that I stretched out to fit my Hi Power clone. the other thing I noticed was that the date on the holster has the date of 1918 w/ the J.J.M. under it. I think that it says"Hoyt" over the date, but its pretty hard to read from the wear. Its also gotten a bit worn over the years, and I wondered if anyone could recommend a cleaner, or protectant that would help w/ the green gunk around the brass, and help heal the wear on the leather itself. I certainly don't want to damage it as I consider it an heirloom. I don't know if it's the holster he was issued during WW2 or if it came back w/ him from when they re-drafted him for Korea

 

[rcmodel]

The green gunk is called verdigris, and there isn't a whole lot you can do about it except keep it cleaned off with an old toothbrush or something. It is caused by a chemical reaction between brass & leather.
It has plagued solders & sportsmen since the bronze age.

I would not recommend any type of oil or grease, like neatfoot oil or other oil product. Some like neatsfoot, can actually promote bacteria growth, thread rot, & cracking.

I use a product called Kiwi Camp-Dry Leather Lotion on old leather in my collection.
It is a mostly water based wax? cream.

Apply with your fingers and work it into the leather while it is still wet. Keep applying until the leather has soaked up quite a bit of it.

After it dries to a tacky finish, buff it with a clean towel or cloth.

rcmodel

 

[scottfrmga]

saddle soap has worked for me,

 

[dagger dog]

Look into some of the silicone base leather conditioners, I switched from the natural base stuff and It keeps my leather looking in tip top shape , I use it on my shoes as well.

Lexol brand leather conditioner is great although rather expensive, the horsey crowd swears by it for use on their tack.
See if you can find FIEBINGS GOLDEN MINK OIL thats the stuff I use on all my leather. Is just a name and does not really contain any mink!

Tractor Supply handles a lot of leather ,horsey stuff.

 

[CWL]

I hope that you are not using the leather holster to store that heirloom pistol in. Leather can do a number on the steel by retaining & transferring moisture onto the gun and causing rust and pitting.

That would be a shame.

 

[ZBill]

I have had great success with Pecards Antique Leather Conditioner

on a 1918 flap holster. Suggested by a very knowledgable board member.

Regards, Bill

http://pecard.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=Pecard&Category_Code=antique

 

[Zip7]

As a person who has been taking care of expensive leather items for many years, I'd recommend Lexol products. They come in pump spray bottles that can be found at auto parts places usually. They make a cleaner and a conditioner.

Saddle soap works for cleaning, mink oil or neatsfoot will make leather softer and heavier, but does prevent it from drying out. I've used them all. I have a son who plays baseball, and has 4 gloves in his bag. Lexol conditioner is the handiest and best product we've ever used. Ball gloves are used harder on a daily basis than most leather stuff besides possibly some horse tack (which I also have taken care of...), and Lexol is used by most MLB teams.

 

[dmazur]

Humidity is a problem. The "back side" of the brass can have moisture trapped behind it and it is very hard to stop the brass corrosion that occurs there. It "wicks out" into the leather at the edges.

You might try storing the leather in a Zip-Loc bag with silica gel cannisters. These can be heated in a toaster oven (350°F for a couple of hours) to recharge them when the crystals turn pink. When they're dry, they are usually blue. Look for the ones in metal cannisters. The plastic bag type aren't reusable, as the temperature needed to drive out the moisture will melt the plastic.

This probably won't dry the leather enough to damage it, especially if it is used once in a while, but it will help create an environment that is less favorable to corrosion.