Holster care

steven c · 08-23-2009, 01:15 PM

What would be the best thing I can do for this holster? The stap is thinning at the top, and I wish it still had the dye on it. Could I use shoe polish on it?

No one seems to agree on what to use on leather. Some say hide care, others say don't touch it. Would the hide care help this helmet? It is stiff and dosen't have its shape any more.

Thanks, Steve.

A.Mifsin · 08-23-2009, 02:26 PM

I asked the same question some time back and the advise I was given was to use if I have to use anything is Connolly Hide Care, which I did, but only on my holster. Regarding your helmet others have to say if it is safe, for sure do not use shoe polish: that what I was told

Her is the result of my holster.

Alf.

steven c · 08-23-2009, 02:39 PM

Thanks for the reply, your holster turned out very nice.

One more quick question. Have any of you guys ever heard of keeping crumpled up newspaper in your holsters to help it keep its shape? I was told about this many years ago when I was a kid.

Thanks, Steve.

Piet · 08-23-2009, 02:43 PM

For me it is very hard to understand that one should not put "anything" on a holster. I am still very unexperienced in this field, but my logical mind tells me, that it had to be treated with something from day one - in order to preserve it for 50 or a 100 years.
In my opinion we should aim to take it another 100 years. Attached is a holster without markings (with 1911 Luger) I clean it once every few years with KIWI polish, and it looks very well. I am sure my forefathers did the same.
Piet

George Anderson · 08-23-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven c

No one seems to agree on what to use on leather. Some say hide care, others say don't touch it. Would the hide care help this helmet? It is stiff and dosen't have its shape any more.

Thanks, Steve.

Steve, a note on leather Pickelhauben. They were made inside-out with the finished side of the hide in and the rough side out. The rough side was then given a heavy coat of lacquer. The same holds true with the visors.

Hide food will not hurt if applied very sparingly to the interior or finished surfaces but will do nothing for the exterior. I would suggest for the exterior you simply remove the spike, state Wappen and spine (not the visor trim) then clean it with a soft cloth. Next apply some Renaisance Wax to the whole exterior. Let it cure for twenty-four hours then gently buff. Last reattach the metal trim parts.

To recover the shell's original shape it's best to use a styrofoam head covered with a cotton t-shirt and just give it time.

Ron Wood · 08-23-2009, 04:54 PM

Steve,
George has handled a lot of pickelhauben, so he knows them well. I would embellish on his instructions a bit if I may. Your helmet is quite dirty so when you remove the parts George suggested, you can clean the exterior with saddle soap. Do not over soak the exterior or leave it wet very long as this will not be good for the lacquer. Work up a foam and apply with a soft brush, then immediately wipe off with a soft cloth (t-shirts work great). Use the styrofoam head to maintain the overall shape. The most misshapen part is the rear visor on your helmet. Leave the helmet on the styrofoam head and use a wet sponge to moisten the bent area. You do not want to excessively soak it but it does need to be fairly moist. Then using your fingers gently reshape the moistened area to match the other side and let it air dry. Once it is completely dry you will find that it has stiffened up a bit and will retain its shape. Then apply the Renaissance Wax as George directed. Use a soft horsehair shoe brush to buff and you will be surprised how much the cleanup will improve the appearance. Keep your helmet on its stand as you show in your photo and do not let it sit for extended periods (days) resting only on the visors.

I do not recommend crumpled up newspapers for extended storage. The newsprint (paper) has a high acid content, so if the holster is exposed to any moisture it is not good for the leather. A more inert substance, such as bubble wrap or a wad of plastic wrap, is better for "stuffing".

steven c · 08-24-2009, 08:38 PM

A big thank you to all you guys,

the help and info it was well appreciated I do like this forum i wish I had more knowledge to give here. but the luger is not my area yet.

rolandtg · 08-25-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

A more inert substance, such as bubble wrap or a wad of plastic wrap, is better for "stuffing".

I use plastic shopping bags from the supermarket/walmart.
They work very well.

suum cuique · 08-26-2009, 05:48 PM

I recommend the use of plain vaseline.
It is acid free. I use this for belts and other vintage militaria, too

suum cuique · 08-26-2009, 05:50 PM

steven c;
i really like your " A1 " bayonet in your picture !

George Anderson · 08-26-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suum cuique

I recommand to use just plain Vaseline.
It is acid free. i use this for belts and other vintage militaria, too

Suggest you go back and read my comments. I can't imagine using Vaseline on leather. I had a prof back in college who used mayaonaise to gloss-up the leaves of his house plants.

suum cuique · 08-26-2009, 09:28 PM

I ment, Vaseline is OK for holsters and belts, not for pickelhauben. They have often some laque-finish.
I have a friend who collects very old books, most of them have a leather back/cover, he is using Vaseline on this for decades.

steven c · 08-29-2009, 02:24 PM

suum, I am glad you like the bayo. I have about 60 or so dress bayonets.

I'ts funny how things overlap when you look. here is a pic to illustrate what I mean. the R.F.V. & D R P ect. can be found on Walther PP and PPK'S the rfv is a type of german customs angency the drp Is the german post office. police bayo are marked like the police lugers.
someone here talked somtime back on the B S W markings seen. the one in the center is on a fireman bayo. it is 1 of 5 That I know of.

steve.

suum cuique · 08-29-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven c

suum, I am glad you like the bayo. I have about 60 or so dress bayonets.

I'ts funny how things overlap when you look. here is a pic to illustrate what I mean. the R.F.V. & D R P ect. can be found on Walther PP and PPK'S the rfv is a type of german customs angency the drp Is the german post office. police bayo are marked like the police lugers.
someone here talked somtime back on the B S W markings seen. the one in the center is on a fireman bayo. it is 1 of 5 That I know of.

steve.

Nice, very nice items!

A.Mifsin · 08-30-2009, 01:54 AM

" I have about 60 or so dress bayonets."

A very interesting collection I am sure, maybe someday you will give us more information and photos of your collection

.
Alf.

08-23-2009, 01:15 PM	#1
steven c User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: texas Posts: 60 Thanks: 15 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Holster care What would be the best thing I can do for this holster? The stap is thinning at the top, and I wish it still had the dye on it. Could I use shoe polish on it? No one seems to agree on what to use on leather. Some say hide care, others say don't touch it. Would the hide care help this helmet? It is stiff and dosen't have its shape any more. Thanks, Steve. Attached Thumbnails

08-23-2009, 02:26 PM	#2
A.Mifsin User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Malta Posts: 570 Thanks: 74 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	I asked the same question some time back and the advise I was given was to use if I have to use anything is Connolly Hide Care, which I did, but only on my holster. Regarding your helmet others have to say if it is safe, for sure do not use shoe polish: that what I was told Her is the result of my holster. Alf. Attached Thumbnails __________________ I prefer a Luger

08-23-2009, 02:43 PM	#4
Piet User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South Africa Posts: 143 Thanks: 155 Thanked 35 Times in 22 Posts	For me it is very hard to understand that one should not put "anything" on a holster. I am still very unexperienced in this field, but my logical mind tells me, that it had to be treated with something from day one - in order to preserve it for 50 or a 100 years. In my opinion we should aim to take it another 100 years. Attached is a holster without markings (with 1911 Luger) I clean it once every few years with KIWI polish, and it looks very well. I am sure my forefathers did the same. Piet Attached Thumbnails

08-23-2009, 04:54 PM	#6
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	Steve, George has handled a lot of pickelhauben, so he knows them well. I would embellish on his instructions a bit if I may. Your helmet is quite dirty so when you remove the parts George suggested, you can clean the exterior with saddle soap. Do not over soak the exterior or leave it wet very long as this will not be good for the lacquer. Work up a foam and apply with a soft brush, then immediately wipe off with a soft cloth (t-shirts work great). Use the styrofoam head to maintain the overall shape. The most misshapen part is the rear visor on your helmet. Leave the helmet on the styrofoam head and use a wet sponge to moisten the bent area. You do not want to excessively soak it but it does need to be fairly moist. Then using your fingers gently reshape the moistened area to match the other side and let it air dry. Once it is completely dry you will find that it has stiffened up a bit and will retain its shape. Then apply the Renaissance Wax as George directed. Use a soft horsehair shoe brush to buff and you will be surprised how much the cleanup will improve the appearance. Keep your helmet on its stand as you show in your photo and do not let it sit for extended periods (days) resting only on the visors. I do not recommend crumpled up newspapers for extended storage. The newsprint (paper) has a high acid content, so if the holster is exposed to any moisture it is not good for the leather. A more inert substance, such as bubble wrap or a wad of plastic wrap, is better for "stuffing". __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-26-2009, 05:48 PM	#9
suum cuique User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MD / Currently about 9000 klicks east of the Potomac Posts: 497 Thanks: 108 Thanked 47 Times in 35 Posts	I recommend the use of plain vaseline. It is acid free. I use this for belts and other vintage militaria, too Last edited by suum cuique; 11-07-2009 at 10:06 PM.

08-23-2009, 02:39 PM	#3
steven c User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: texas Posts: 60 Thanks: 15 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Thanks for the reply, your holster turned out very nice. One more quick question. Have any of you guys ever heard of keeping crumpled up newspaper in your holsters to help it keep its shape? I was told about this many years ago when I was a kid. Thanks, Steve.

08-24-2009, 08:38 PM	#7
steven c User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: texas Posts: 60 Thanks: 15 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	A big thank you to all you guys, the help and info it was well appreciated I do like this forum i wish I had more knowledge to give here. but the luger is not my area yet.

08-26-2009, 05:50 PM	#10
suum cuique User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MD / Currently about 9000 klicks east of the Potomac Posts: 497 Thanks: 108 Thanked 47 Times in 35 Posts	steven c; i really like your " A1 " bayonet in your picture !

08-26-2009, 09:28 PM	#12
suum cuique User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MD / Currently about 9000 klicks east of the Potomac Posts: 497 Thanks: 108 Thanked 47 Times in 35 Posts	Vaseline not for Pickelhauben I ment, Vaseline is OK for holsters and belts, not for pickelhauben. They have often some laque-finish. I have a friend who collects very old books, most of them have a leather back/cover, he is using Vaseline on this for decades.

08-29-2009, 02:24 PM	#13
steven c User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: texas Posts: 60 Thanks: 15 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	suum, I am glad you like the bayo. I have about 60 or so dress bayonets. I'ts funny how things overlap when you look. here is a pic to illustrate what I mean. the R.F.V. & D R P ect. can be found on Walther PP and PPK'S the rfv is a type of german customs angency the drp Is the german post office. police bayo are marked like the police lugers. someone here talked somtime back on the B S W markings seen. the one in the center is on a fireman bayo. it is 1 of 5 That I know of. steve. Attached Thumbnails

08-30-2009, 01:54 AM	#15
A.Mifsin User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Malta Posts: 570 Thanks: 74 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	" I have about 60 or so dress bayonets." A very interesting collection I am sure, maybe someday you will give us more information and photos of your collection . Alf. __________________ I prefer a Luger