Holster Cleaning Question
 

I have a lugar artillery holster that appears to be original; however, I have not found any markings on it. It is very dirty. The main flap that goes across the top has been replaced, and the shoulder strap is a replacement. I would like to know (1) Do collectors generally frown on a holster that has been cleaned?; (2) If it is all right to clean it, is there a recommended procedure?; and, (3) Are there any cleaning and/or waxing or leather treatment supplies that are recommended for such a holster?

Thanks in advance to anyone who knows something about this and can share some information with me.

Ron

Ron, if, indeed, your holster is unmarked it is a modern reproduction. Cleaning an original won't hurt it. It just needs to be done right, I generally give dirty holsters a cleaning with saddle soap then later apply a light treatment of Hide Food.

George -

I have not heard of "Hide Food." Is that a brand name or a generic name? Any suggestions on where I might obtain some? I have some Kiwi Leather Balm and it is a kind of creme-colored thick liquid. Thank you so much for responding to my questions.

Ron

Best source of Hide Food would be found through a Google search. It's a product that once was only available through Jag, Bently and RR dealers. I believe that the complete product name is Connelly's Hide Food.

Great! Thank you so much. Ron

Ron, I use connolys when needed (clean as suggested above), always use less of anything, this is old leather after all.


Ed

Well, the new name for Connolly Hide Food was Connolly Hide Care. But somewhere on the Internet I read that the company has closed after doing business for over 135 years. Some Internet companys had it listed, and some said it was out of stock, etc. But if the factory folded, then they must be selling the remaining stocks of it.

I did clean the holster with saddle soap, and I am amazed at how much better it looks. I'm letting it dry now.

There is another product that one major collector tells me is every bit as good as the old Connolly Hide Food, and it is called "Blackrock Leather "N" Rich" I got it at a local saddle shop. The shop owner also told me to let the holster sit out in the bright sun with a film of this stuff on it to improve the penetration into the leather.

Like the old Connolly Hide Food, this product also has no wax in it. So I am going to give it a try.

Thanks fellas for all your help and guidance on this.

Ron

Ron, I have tried Black Rock and I find it does not come close to the results I get with Connoly's. Plus it smells bad. Connoly's has that good lanolin leather smell. I have a jar of Black Rock around here somewhere and I don't use it.
Connoly's does not require sun heat to do it's thing. It will disapear at room temperature in an hour or so and polishes out beautifully.
Jerry Burney

Jerry -

Well, then, that settles it. I'll just have to keep looking for some Connolly's Hide Care. Thanks for the advice.

ron

Ron
Connolly also has a Leather Cleaner, which works great on dirty holsters before applying Connolly Hide Care. Bill

Bill -

I saw that Connolly leather cleaner, and there seems to be a lot more of it around than the Connolly Hide Care. However, I had already cleaned the holster with saddle soap, and it seems to have come out real well. A lot of the wrinkles that were in the leather just disappeared. I might have found some of the hide care. I have ordered it, and am just waiting to see if they tell me they are out of stock too. Thanks for the info.

Ron

I bought two jars of it from ebay 2 years ago, have plenty left;

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=110157961948

I don't know this seller, but do a search on these words...

Here's a link to a retailer that stocks Hide Care.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...Zymol5_pg1.htm

It is great stuff.

Bill

Be interested in getting a couple of jars. If you find out who has it please post the adress Im sure Im not the only one interested in finding some.
Richie

Richie, there were 2 or 3 for sale on ebay, and then the pelican parts guys that Bill posted.

Bill, I am in Bensalem, PA (adj Philly) for the next couple of months.

Ed

Okay, I have successfully purchased two jars of the Connoly's Hide Food (or whatever it's now called) for $16 each from this place: http://www.motorcarsltd.com/

I ordered them last night, and got an Email tonight saying that they had been shipped. This company also has a toll free number: 1-800-338-5238 and their part number for this item is: IN105867

So if this might help anyone else, I am glad to be able to pass this information on.

Ron