Holster care and preservation question

[trigger643]

I have a 1938 Karl Barth I acquired some years ago. It's in good, original condition. However, the leather appears to be drying out. It is my only black holster.

What is the best way to preserve and condition the leather without cleaning?

[lugerholsterrepair]

Trigger, Why are you adverse to cleaning the holster? When I get a holster that has been sent to me for repair I use a soft toothbrush to brush away the dirt in the crevices and in the stitching lines. Then saddle soap it, light on the water, just a damp rag. Wait a few hours to let it adjust and then I use a leather product made by Connoly's of Great Britain. Hide Food, I believe it is called. I have only found it at Jaguar dealerships. They recommend it for the leather seats of their automobiles. I have to tell you I have tried many things and this is absolutely the best. It dries and is not sticky, does not leave any residue and no smell. It is important to clean your holster before applying anything to it so that you do not grind any dirt into the leather. Pecards is not a product I recommend. Under any circumstances do not use neatsfoot oil. It was developed to break down leather fibers, not preserve them. Preserving period leather is something to study and be extremely careful with. I believe there has been a piece published in the information section by Marvin about this that is worth reading. Jerry Burney

[trigger643]

I had read the article and he favored pecards. I have not had favorable results with my use of pecards and am looking for others' recommendations.

The holster is not dirty, and the crazing is extremely minor on the flap and back and probably unnoticiable to anyone that isn't finicky.

I'll be by the Jaguar dealer this week and will try the connolly product. Thank you very much for your response.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Trigger, Well I guess that's as good a reason as any! I was not aware Marvin specifically recomends pecards. The holsters that come into my shop for repairs and have been treated with it are gummy, sticky. I have never bought and tried any as I already have seen the results. I do not know how it came by it's sterling but misguided reputation. Something about the Smithsonian I suppose.

The Connoly's product is not cheap and if by chance they offer it in smaller containers than 8 ounces , only get a little. I have been using a jar of it for a year and still have a lot left.

Let me know what you think of it. Jerry Burney

[trigger643]

Went to the Jaguar Dealership yesterday and was advised by the head service writer that they have stopped importing Connoly's and it is no longer available in the US due to some EPA violation. He stated Connoly is reformulating a product for import, but it will be some time before it is available. He recommended Kali Leather Life, which they do not sell, but are using in their detail shop. I obtained a bottle at a saddlery shop here and will post the results this evening.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Trigger, Well, That is shocking news. EPA violation. What a crock. You wouldthink the Govt. would have better things to do. Good luck with the other stuff. Jerry Burney

[Navy]

This is just the latest from the environazis. Up until 4 years ago there was a truly wonderful product called leather rejuvinator available. It was noxious smelling and would take the skin off your paws, but if you brushed it on an old, stiff and cracking leather holster and let it sit over night, the next morning, there would be a thin film of waxy residue over your newly softened and suppl holster. It also killed red rot and sundry bugs that like to live in and eat old leather.

Well, the environazis decided it had some chemical of mass distruction in it and ADMINISTRATIVELY levied a $600 gallon tax on it. Poof, off the market.

Tom A.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Tom, Reminds me of the poster of black hooded,submachine gun carrying thugs entering a window and the message says, This is the Government; We're here to help you. The thing about Connoly's is, you could probably eat the stuff. It's really not toxic. I am hopeing that the salesman might have been a BS artist and was just out of it.

I don't guess you got my last message about the Type 1 Navy you have for sale? Shoot me an Email and let me know all about it...Jerry

Jerry Burney
13320 45th Lane
Yuma AZ 85367

928 342 7583

lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net

[trigger643]

Well the results are in. I applied it to an old cracked and scuffed day planner per the instructions.

It is by no means a miracle restorer, but the leather is once again subtle and plyable with a nice understated shine after mild buffing with a soft cloth.

According to the bottle... "Kali Leather Life Protein Lotion. Cleaner/Conditioner for Fine Leathers. Replaces natural oils / Protects from moisture. Helps maintain resilience. Increases resistance to cracking, scuffing, splitting. Restores natural gloss. Dissolves dirt & wax. Leaves no oily residue... Helps remove mold and mildew."

Guess I'll put it on my P08 holster tonight. BTW, its part of a complete 1938 S/42 rig, very unmessed with with 2 matching mags. The only odd thing is a much earlier loading tool (1934-5, marked either W54 or W15 or 18? = hard to make out exactly). This holster and loading tool came from the same veteran that also supplied me with an interesting left handed P-38 holster. Both items captured in 1944.

[George Anderson]

Connolly's Hide Food can readily be had on the internet through autogeek.com. It costs about $15 a pop and is well worth it.

For those of you in Beverly Hills it can also be found at your local Ferrari or Rolls Royce dealer.

[John Sabato]

Jerry,

I was not aware of your opposition to Pecards... Perhaps I could convince you to write an article like Marvins to add to the General Infomation Page?

Cost is not an object since there isn't any money in the kitty for this... you would just be donating your time and effort to educate the Holster owners of the world in your preferred methods for leather treatment and preservation...

Whatya say soldier?

Thanks,

[lugerholsterrepair]

John, Thanks for the offer and your confidence that I have such an article inside my tiny brain. I really am not all that knowledgable about the subject of chemical application for leather preservation and how it affects leather long term. In fact, I could be wrong about Connoly's and it could turn your holster into mush in ten years for all I know. I just like the way I see it work on leather I apply it to.

I am no chemist so I only know how it works short term. I do not recomend Pecards because Pecards does not recomend Pecard's. A fellow collector and a guy who knows a little about the leather preservation subject called and talked with Pecards. David Mclain of Colorado Springs. He tells me the folks at Pecard's don't know where the Smithsonian rumor came from and they do not recomend their product for the preservation or treatment of museum quality leather.I think they said Pecards was good for stuff you were going to hang in the barn over the winter...No joke!

Either Marvin or David showed me a link to a leather site where someone who is a chemist was discussing leather treatment in knowledgable detail. I cannot find that site but I wish I could. This fellow had extensive knowledge of how to treat leather. He had a whole website about it that was fascinating reading.

So, I am sad to say that I must decline your generous offer because I am good at what I do but know my limitations. Besides, I am pushing a needle for ten hours a day and I don't have time to get smart! Believe me john, it's not because of the amount you don't want to pay me! Thanks my friend, Jerry

[Pete Ebbink]

Nordstrom's shoe department sells a product that is called "Norstrom - Classic Boot & Shoe Care".

An 8 oz. size is about $ 2.50...

My wife has been using it for years on her Italian shoes and purses, including white and bone colored items.

This product has no waxes and adds no color, nor does it darken the existing color. I think it consists of some emollients.

I have recently used it on my Swiss holsters that were in good condition with good color, but the leather was quite dry.

The leather is now very supple and flexible, clean, and has a very soft, but slight satin sheen. The white cotton cloths I used picked up dirt but no brown color from the brown leather was transferred to the rags...

This product does nicely on car leather seating, as well...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

[Marvin]

WOW, this thread can get all type opinions and I don't know who is 100% correct!

Seriously, the leather treatment discussion is very difficult as there is no one that I am aware of that can say for a fact what needs to be done to preserve leather. In my write-up of a couple of years ago, I did some research into preservation and still came up with the same answer; no definitive answer. My use of Pecards or Lexol is based on information on the products, use by others, and actual use (I prefer Lexol personally). I have never used the Connelly Hide Food, but I have heard that it is excellent!

My humble opinion is that what folks do is use TO MUCH of any of these compounds on leather and this causes it to become "spongy" from absorbing to much of the product. This causes the leather to lose all it's stiffness and become limp.

Jerry is correct about cleaning the holster with a toothbrush to remove all/any debris on the surface and in crevices. The use of saddle soap to clean the leather is good, but for goodness sake, don't saturate the leather; rub it on, clean it. and wipe it off, don't let it soak in! The same holds true with any compound applied to soften the leather, use ONLY A LITTLE!

The most important part to preserving the leather is to keep it dry, damp free, and out of UV light! This is the best way to preserve it. I know we all purchase those "problem" holsters and some preservation is needed, but use quality products that are recommended by leather experts like Jerry Burney who know what they are talking about! But just remember, "a little goes a long way" DON'T over do it and permanently ruin a good holster.

Just my .02 cents worth; and a final statment, don't put anything on the holster if it is in good shape. Just keep it dry, damp free, and out of UV light.

Marvin

[Pete Ebbink]

Have folks tried this other auto leather product...apparently the Rolls-Royce folks use it..."Autoglym"

http://www.properautocare.com/autleatcarcr.html

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

[lugerholsterrepair]

Marvin, Thanks for your kind words but I am no expert at leather preservation. I prefer to be known as a student. An expert, as my Dad used to say is a fellow from out of town with a new briefcase. I continually learn as I do with leather. I do like Connolly's as I bought 25 jars of it...I only use a jar every six months but when I heard they were going out of the import business I decided to stock up.

There is a difference in applying a leather salve to old or new leather. I agree with Marvin, go sparingly on the stuff. Clean your leather before you treat it, and his advice about saddle soap is good too. Jerry Burney