Holster preservatives in the Deep humid South?
 

Hello again friends!
We have spent the last three days cleaning and oiling the Lugers, and are now faced with 2 or 3 large boxes of the holsters. What is the current recommendation on preservatives and maintenance, please? Back in 2009 or so, some good folks from this forum came out and appraised the leather for us. There's a scary amount of value sitting there when we totaled it all up. How can I keep them alive? East Texas climate, they're in AC, but it gets very humid here.

Anna, You may want to do a search..on both this Forum and Jan Stills. There have been thousands of words already written on this interesting important subject. I wrote a lot lot of them but there are other interesting opinions.

It would help to know what shape they are in now.

Back in 2009 or so? Yes Don..a very astute question!

Simple, Renaissance micro-crystalline wax polish, Amazon has it https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...d=N57FEMVGUBKX

Thanks Eric. They're in fine shape now, amazingly enough. I was hoping for a simple answer, as I knew a search would bring up many and varied suggestions. Looking for simple right now. :) Many thanks.

no offense, but here at the forum, we get bombarded with ''simple questions'' - that equals, i don't want to do any damn searches for myself

I use Connolys for my leather, if you want to clean them, use saddle soap, then connolys

don't use pecards, its too thick and greasy, don't use mink oil etc, it breaks down the leather

Sorry,
but there is no "simple answer" to leather care- everyone has an opinion and does it differently.

The best care is to store them in the dark, with humidity controlled to +/-50%, and temperature held constant around 70 degrees F- IF they are in good shape, I'd leave them alone.

AND that is Just my opinion.:cheers:

Thanks gentlemen. I appreciate your time in answering. And you're right, post-stroke, I didn't want to do any damned research and hunting. I was hoping perhaps some newer products might have been found by now. For the guns, I've stuck with Hoppes gun oil for a long time. I thought there might be an equally reliable solution for the leather. Again, sorry to appear "lazy".

The simple answer to going to the bathroom is to pee your pants. Simple is not always the best way to go...

I'm so glad that the moderators here refuse to lower themselves to being snarky. Bless your heart and have a great day, Jerry.

Anna, Well I thought you said you were from the deep South? What you call snarky I call humorous. It makes my point. Simple can be as wrong as right. I love Eric like a Brother but I don't think the simple answer to leather preservation in humid Texas is as simple as Renaissance Wax.
Don above has some good advice..Back in 2009 or so was the last time you closely inspected this leather and it has not changed in 8 years you are doing something right. Storage condition, moisture, light and temperature is always the first defense. If your leather has not molded in all this time then conditions are ideal. You might want to take a strong light and look inside each one for ANY signs of white spots or abnormal growth of fuzz.
If nothing like this exists..just keep doing what your doing.

I can empathize with a stroke..I had a very small one 5-6 years ago. Unexpected, unwanted and dibilitating for a time. I never want another! I can see where one could be life changing. Thankfully in my case in a couple of months everything was back to normal. I hope you have the same good fortune as myself.

I AM blessed thank you..but almost everyone I meet almost anywhere I go and at anytime... people I meet wish me a good day..I am beginning to wonder if that saying has not morphed into a common platitude? Something to say to appear to be nice when they really don't give a damn what the rest of my day is like? Do you ever wonder that?

Thank You Jerry~
 

You yourself have saved my leather butt over the years!

Jerry like you I love everyday! In my case it was a 'Stroke Of Luck' to have Debby by my side for over 6 months. She would bring me a chocolate shake and hook me up to my Sony Walkman that woke me up!!

I think "have a nice day" is something like "bless your heart".

Besides suggesting doing some searching, I thought I gave you the proper advice.

If it looks okay, use Connolys or nothing. Connolys will slightly darken the leather, but it is the most natural to use.

Ed is correct..Almost every holster that comes and goes through the shop I treat the flexible parts with lanolin. Hinge, top of the belt loops, closure strap..things like that. Also any dry areas..but inspection often and storage are where you start.

I also keep a white cotton sock inside to hold its shape!

Jerry likes lanolin, ergo "I" like it too.:evilgrin:

Bought an 8oz tub on ebay, pure lanolin- lots of offers in various sizes. About as "natrual" as one can get!:thumbup:

Handsome collection of leather holsters !
Thanks for sharing them.

If you can keep your house humidity 40-60 %, you should be fine storing them just about anywhere.

I don't recommend a safe unless it's quite large - not enough air circulation.

A locked cabinet should work fine. Don't keep guns in them. You can by desiccants for closets in large boxes at local stores, if you need to, but I just keep a low wattage light bulb in the cabinet. it raises the temp slightly, but enough to prevent condensation. A tiny computer fan is a good way to keep your cabinet air moving around.

Bulky old sports socks are great for gun covers and holster padding.

Don! Jerry likes lanolin, ergo "I" like it too.:evilgrin: Don't use that stuff! It's for nursing Mothers..well, come to think of it ...might soften things up just right. I bought a tub of it a year ago. It's a little thick and sticky for the way I use lanolin. Very condensed. Hard at room temperature..or at least solid. The Connolly's Hide Care has a more useable consistancy for me although I am sure I could adapt. I used my tub by mixing it with a half jar of Connolly's. It stiffened that up too! A little heat makes it softer. But either one a little goes a long way!

Depending upon the fiber blend in the socks, they could attract moisture and provide a matrix for mold to grow upon. Old used socks could come with their old mold source.

I have heard of using wooden blocks or crumpled unprinted newsprint (wrapping paper) to fill spaces in holsters to help them hold their shapes.

I have been storing some of my holsters in plastic shoe box size containers without problems, but don't know if this is recommended or causes risks. I don't keep desiccant in the boxes because I don't want to dry out the leather itself.

I have used a single application of Lexol on very dry leather to help clean and restore it without softening it. Again, I don't know if this is recommended or not.

Rubbermaid Debby while I was in rehab hospital gathered my lugers and leather into 2 blue rubbermade containers. While a trip to visit her sister in Boca a washer line broke flooding out half our home including my luger room! 6-8 inches. Thank God all was safe in the containers. I suggest you purchase a few for your closet~

I bought some, too--but not enough! It has relaxed several leather things for me that were stiff as boards. A little warmth seems to help its absorption/penetration. Rub a dab into your hands before bedtime and you will not be disappointed.

Don,

That's not just your opinion. Those are facts!!! It doesn't matter what you put on your holster to treat them. The most important thing is to keep them where the temperature and humidity are mild. Your figures are spot on.

Matt:cool:

Has anyone else tried Bick 4? I don't know what is in it but a small amount seemed to work well for me. Doesn't darkened the leather.
http://bickmore.com/?product=bickmore-bick-4

At one time, years ago, I did use Pecards occasionally. Then after penalty of death by Jerry I started using Connolys. I have many holsters and this stuff is great. Not sure why anyone would use anything else. And yes Jerry I now only use Pecards on my boots where it belongs. Bill

"Penalty of death" LOL Bill, you slay me. I blew my coffee out my nose when I read your post. :thumbsup:

By the way, I use Connolly's for my historic holsters. That seems to be the consensus of opinion here.

I also use a beeswax product called Sno-Seal on some of my modern holsters.

I believe two factors in common, heat and humidity. Are there records of what care was used for care in the Imperial or Weimer periods. What ever they used, I have hundred year old holsters that are in beautiful shape. Others, those in the trenches show wear as do my artillerys and early war. The finest is my Krieghoff which no doubt was owned by an officer who I assume had the most pride. I find them all fascinating and hold my idol Jerry Burney our historical leather hero! God I luv the history and the rare privaledge to hold in my hands and actually own and become care giver for those who will inherit my luger dreams! Each has survived many owners and war. What faired better the guns or their holsters, I wonder! PS Happy 4th!

I use a two step process for leather belts and holsters that are new acquisitions. Many of my new stuff has been dirty with age, scuffed and dry. I use a product called "Leather Life" for the first step to clean and treat the leather. I believe that "Leather Life" is made in Louisiana and have bought it in local saddle and tack shops. The second step is to generously apply "Connollys" (sp?). Any excess can be easily wiped off. I believe "Connolys" contains lanolin.
At both steps I might apply two or more coats depending on the leather condition. Subsequent treatment may only require polishing with "Connollys."
Living in Houston it is important to maintain the AC for living and preserving all our treasures. Most of my holsters are on shelves in cardboard boxes enjoying the AC.

I also use a beeswax product called Sno-Seal on some of my modern holsters. OMG!! OMG!! OMG!! OMG!! Living at 8000 feet in the Winter..Sno-seal was a must for icy slushy freezing wet conditions! Slather it on like butter pats on toast..It's fantastic stuff for icy slushy freezing wet conditions! But holsters? It's on par with Pecard's. Sticky gooey honey like petroleum jelly. God only knows what the stuff actually is...

You are my Hero!!

In a way I am so glad I am not into collecting holsters. :D

All my respect to those that are. :cheers:

Holsters are like Women..delicate and in need of a great deal of maintenance. But I wouldn't like to not pair up my beautiful Artillery pistol and stock with no holster! Or my Navies! The leather is the icing on the cake. Adds interest..history. Puts the pistols into context. Makes them complete.

Jerry your artillery above says it all! You and Ellie are both forever in love and your pets too!! A genuine Romantic~ LuvYa!