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04-01-2002, 11:06 AM

Bill, that is a great comment. Leather that is far gone, unless associated with some special person or historical event, won't suffer a lot of value loss by tinkering. What is damaging is the tinkering collectors do to high condition specimens, sometimes mint specimens. Perhaps 1/2 of the holsters I see are damaged by attempts to "improve" the holster. In the past two months, I have see two US M1916 holsters that were absolutely flat mint except for a wide streak of oily dark leather across the flap. The oily streak was an attempt to stop/restore the cracking by applying Pecards or oil. One holster was cracking through and leather would fall off if you picked up the holster. The other was recently oiled and not yet crumbling. Both holsters could have been preserved in mint condition by simply storing them with the flap wide open (not folded and buttoned shut).

To the person who took his holster to a shop and had it oiled up, sure it looked pretty outside. Did you look inside and note the dark oily inside leather surface? Not pretty at all and a giveaway to experienced collectors. That holster will crack and rot much faster than if it was properly cared for.

It is best to avoid the urge to improve everything until you know what you are doing. Also be choosy about whose advice you take. Many collectors listen to the old sages at gun shows and do rediculous things to their collections. I watched a guy at a show rub the finish off a 1910 DWM with TS grip strap markings because an old goof at the show told him a razor blade was how to remove surface rust. He removed the rust, the blue and some of the surface, too. I can't think of a place more soaked in BS than a gun show--before risking a one-of-a-kind piece of history, check the credentials of your information sources regarding care of the item.

Thanks to everyone for a great set of questions and comments. Holsters, and historic preservation generally, are things about which I have passionate opinions and have devoted a lot of time to studying. It is a lot of fun and I encourage others to join in.

Dave

04-01-2002, 11:06 AM	#26
mlm Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Neatsfoot oil for Holster? Bill, that is a great comment. Leather that is far gone, unless associated with some special person or historical event, won't suffer a lot of value loss by tinkering. What is damaging is the tinkering collectors do to high condition specimens, sometimes mint specimens. Perhaps 1/2 of the holsters I see are damaged by attempts to "improve" the holster. In the past two months, I have see two US M1916 holsters that were absolutely flat mint except for a wide streak of oily dark leather across the flap. The oily streak was an attempt to stop/restore the cracking by applying Pecards or oil. One holster was cracking through and leather would fall off if you picked up the holster. The other was recently oiled and not yet crumbling. Both holsters could have been preserved in mint condition by simply storing them with the flap wide open (not folded and buttoned shut). To the person who took his holster to a shop and had it oiled up, sure it looked pretty outside. Did you look inside and note the dark oily inside leather surface? Not pretty at all and a giveaway to experienced collectors. That holster will crack and rot much faster than if it was properly cared for. It is best to avoid the urge to improve everything until you know what you are doing. Also be choosy about whose advice you take. Many collectors listen to the old sages at gun shows and do rediculous things to their collections. I watched a guy at a show rub the finish off a 1910 DWM with TS grip strap markings because an old goof at the show told him a razor blade was how to remove surface rust. He removed the rust, the blue and some of the surface, too. I can't think of a place more soaked in BS than a gun show--before risking a one-of-a-kind piece of history, check the credentials of your information sources regarding care of the item. Thanks to everyone for a great set of questions and comments. Holsters, and historic preservation generally, are things about which I have passionate opinions and have devoted a lot of time to studying. It is a lot of fun and I encourage others to join in. Dave