Need help with old leather saddle bags please...

[25b]

Hello...I'd like to ask folks for some advice please...

I have acquired some really neat and very old Swiss military saddle bags.  I've tried to do as much research as possible of reputable sources to learn the best way to help clean them and replenish oils lost over the years.  They were made in 1938.

So from everything I've read so far, the consensus seemed to be to wash it thoroughly using saddle soap.  The Fiebings liquid saddle soap was recommended because it's easier to get into crevices, behind stitching, etc.

Then use a soft bristle brush to scrub clean...then rinse thoroughly.

I did that twice to each of the two bags.

I let them dry indoors overnight until they were mostly dry, then took them outside to heat up (out of direct sunlight), along with the pure neatsfoot oil...then I used a chip brush to apply the oil and rubbed it in with my hands, working the leather as I applied it so it would be better absorbed.

Anyway, sorry for the lengthy explanation.  I did all that to both bags and one is now great, but the other one, the outer flap is stiff as a board.

On the stiff one, I tried a third application of neatsfoot oil...while it was outside in the heat (it's 97 degrees in the shade here right now)...and when I did, the flap was very nice and pliable.  The oil stooped getting absorbed, so I brought it indoors to finish drying -- and the flap is very rigid again.  So is the back panel, btw...same as before.

Any recommendations on what to try now?  I'm not really interested in experimenting...I really need suggestions from folks that have restored old veg tanned leather like this and gotten good results.  So...if anyone could please tell me what to do next to soften this leather, I'd be very thankful for that...

Thanks for any help here...

[25b]

Anyone???

[stelmackr]

My friend restored a leather horse collar with these products.  

 

http://www.leathertherapy.com/

 

Hope it helps.

 

Bob Stelmack

[25b]

Thank you, Sir...I will check them out...

Any other help from anyone else that's successfully turned old leather from a board back into pliable leather is also greatly appreciated...

[billybopp]

I haven't tried it, but I remember a post on here some time ago about "British Museum leather dressing" for leather restoration/preservation.. You might google that and see what you find.

Bill

[25b]

6 hours ago, billybopp said:

I haven't tried it, but I remember a post on here some time ago about "British Museum leather dressing" for leather restoration/preservation.. You might google that and see what you find.

Bill

Thank you for your reply.  After reading up on what's in that leather dressing, I do not think it will do what I want it to do and may end up not being the best thing for the leather, long-term.

I do sincerely appreciate the suggestion though...

[Art]

Pecard's -- Montana Pitchblend -- Dr. Jackson's Hide Rejuvenator.  Any of the three, not all of them.

Art