Cowboy rig restoration

spacecoast · February 9, 2014, 01:42 PM

I have come into possession of a cowboy rig consisting of a 35" Arvo Ojala gun belt and a custom made Dale Myres holster. I say custom made because the original owner's initials are carved on the outer band which holds the holster in place. At the bottom of the holster is a piece of leather that ties around one's leg. The belt is 3" wide.

The original owner of this holster died in 1976 (born in 1920), so the holster is at least 38 years old and I suspect closer to 50-60 years old. It's something of a family heirloom. I don't know how much cowboy shooting the owner did, but intend to find out as much as possible and won't rule out using it myself someday (I can barely get into it). When I got the rig, some of its 31 loops were filled with .45 Colt bullets that hadn't been touched in a long time and were in some cases covered with verdigris. I have removed those. The brass rivets on the holster are also pretty green. The belt itself appears to be in great shape although a bit dingy with age and disuse. Some pics are below.

I'd like to stop the deterioration of the brass and get this rig back to as close to its original state as possible without damaging it. What's the best way to go about that? What is the best cleaning technique to avoid damage? I know very little about leather care other than when I used to rub saddle soap into my ball glove when I was a kid.

spacecoast · February 9, 2014, 01:43 PM

one more pic...

spitpatch · February 9, 2014, 01:54 PM

Nice rig. I treat all my leather with a product called ( Sno-Seal ). Gloves, boots, rifle slings, holsters. It's a beeswax product. Been using it for years. My self I like the old look so I would not dye the rig.

freedom475 · February 9, 2014, 01:57 PM

Buy some skidmore's!!!!!!!!!! http://www.skidmores.com/

Snow seal has some petrolium products in it and is made to waterproof leather, not a very good option for restoration.

No way to tell for sure..but I'm going to bet that the 2451 number means that it was made in 1951... the 24 is probly the 24th belt made or possibly the style number.

February 9, 2014, 01:42 PM	#1
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Cowboy rig restoration I have come into possession of a cowboy rig consisting of a 35" Arvo Ojala gun belt and a custom made Dale Myres holster. I say custom made because the original owner's initials are carved on the outer band which holds the holster in place. At the bottom of the holster is a piece of leather that ties around one's leg. The belt is 3" wide. The original owner of this holster died in 1976 (born in 1920), so the holster is at least 38 years old and I suspect closer to 50-60 years old. It's something of a family heirloom. I don't know how much cowboy shooting the owner did, but intend to find out as much as possible and won't rule out using it myself someday (I can barely get into it). When I got the rig, some of its 31 loops were filled with .45 Colt bullets that hadn't been touched in a long time and were in some cases covered with verdigris. I have removed those. The brass rivets on the holster are also pretty green. The belt itself appears to be in great shape although a bit dingy with age and disuse. Some pics are below. I'd like to stop the deterioration of the brass and get this rig back to as close to its original state as possible without damaging it. What's the best way to go about that? What is the best cleaning technique to avoid damage? I know very little about leather care other than when I used to rub saddle soap into my ball glove when I was a kid.

February 9, 2014, 01:57 PM	#4
freedom475 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2008 Location: Rocky Mountains of Montana Posts: 292	Buy some skidmore's!!!!!!!!!! http://www.skidmores.com/ Snow seal has some petrolium products in it and is made to waterproof leather, not a very good option for restoration. No way to tell for sure..but I'm going to bet that the 2451 number means that it was made in 1951... the 24 is probly the 24th belt made or possibly the style number. __________________ Maker of Horse Tack and Cowboy Gear. www.7xleather.com Mister, why do you carry a 45? "Cause Sam Colt don't make a 46." Last edited by freedom475; February 9, 2014 at 02:05 PM.

February 9, 2014, 01:43 PM	#2
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	one more pic...

February 9, 2014, 01:54 PM	#3
spitpatch Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 171	Nice rig. I treat all my leather with a product called ( Sno-Seal ). Gloves, boots, rifle slings, holsters. It's a beeswax product. Been using it for years. My self I like the old look so I would not dye the rig.