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April 27, 2010, 06:48 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 12, 2006
Location: NKY
Posts: 12,463
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Vietnam Era Sidearm Holster
I was given a holster that was carried in Vietnam by the man who carried it. The holster has sat in a closet for roughly the last 40 years or so, but is in pretty good shape.
This won't be a working holster for me but will be something that I'd like to take care of and keep. I've heard a lot of the stories that went along with this holster and I'm honored to have possession of it now. At this point, I'm curious as to what some good leather products might be to use on it? I know most leather products on working holsters are a bad idea, but I want to make sure that I preserve this one as best as possible. Thanks for the suggestions.
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"He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson Last edited by Kreyzhorse; April 28, 2010 at 07:02 AM. |
April 27, 2010, 02:46 PM | #2 | |
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Join Date: April 9, 2009
Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in
Posts: 3,144
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Here's what a holster maker has to say. I wished I had known this a long time ago because apparently for 40 years I have been doing it wrong with saddle soap and mink oil.
Quote:
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Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster-- |
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April 28, 2010, 01:22 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: August 5, 2006
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 565
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I use anhydrous lanolin on all my leather products (belts, holsters and rifle slings). It not only waterproofs them but keeps the leather fibers "lubricated" and supple. It tends to DARKEN leather a few shades, however, but in my case I like the darker brownish color, as it makes dry and light/pale beige (meaning usually NEW) leather look very rich. There are some tricks to applying it but otherwise, it is the ONLY thing I do to treat leather. I stopped using Neatsfoot oil and even saddlesoap years ago.
In the OP's case, since his RVN holster probably has some historical/collector's value, I would consult with a museum conservator for professional advice...it may be best to do NOTHING to it! As for newly-bought leather or not-so-historical stuff, I use the lanolin. -- John D. |
April 28, 2010, 07:05 AM | #4 | |
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Join Date: April 12, 2006
Location: NKY
Posts: 12,463
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Quote:
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April 28, 2010, 10:11 AM | #5 |
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Join Date: August 5, 2006
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 565
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Be careful about following any 'brain trust' advice (including mine) received in online forums. If possible, run it by someone more knowlegable/who does it for a living (and is good at it). I have never found any real 'expert' on any subject (Ph.D.s included) even if they may call themselves one (that's the FIRST indicator they are not). For example, if the government really DID have economics, financial, political and foreign-policy 'experts' as they are called, we wouldn't be in these assorted messes America is in nowadays, would we.
So if you can call a local museum, ask them what they do to conserve any leather items in their collections. They would be the ones to get 'final approval' from before (if) you do anything. I mentioned not doing anything because (1) it is not something historically original to that particular item, (2) the color might/might not change (also not original if it DID change and collectors like an items 'patina' showing its age and want that UNtouched) and (3) if properly applied (penetrating the leather completely), anhydrous lanolin (not a manmade synthetic or petroleum distallate product but completely natural -- which is good, IMO) would be almost impossible to remove later on...which for me is just fine because my leather items are not collectors pieces but used, and I want them protected from moisture and from drying out/cracking over time. If left alone, eventually leather will dry out and crack, but if it's never used or ever meant to be used, that would okay as it's only a collector's item. Still, I would ask a museum conservator what they do. At the larger museums, they have staff trained in the care of different materials such as wood, fabric, leather and such. At smaller museum they should have at least one conservator. It's sort of like going to a library and asking for (free) help there; go to/call a museum and see if you can get any (free) advice there. Or recommend a professional 'stand-alone' conservator. Professional conservators can help (for a fee of of course) the general public and often work with museums. Maybe an e-mail to one of them would get you free yet valuable professional advice. See this link for some info: http://www.heritagepreservation.org/programs/CONSER.HTM Good luck, -- John D. P.S. This is kind of weird: I am a RVN vet myself and we're talking about 'museum pieces' from that time period...I'm probably older than I thought. Last edited by cloudcroft; April 28, 2010 at 10:23 AM. |
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