How to ID leather?

[Keyair]

I recently bought some close-out full leather hides, sight unseen.

Eight of them total. They were cheap, @ $50 each, and they vary between 52, and 61 sqft. They were advertised as Furniture grade.

I figured that the worse case scenario was they would be fun for individual projects, or practice!

Here is what arrived...

All of them are good, and I am happy with what I got, for what I paid....

See that 5 of them on the right are matching, probably from the same manufacture and batch, in a nice dark brown, which is described as "Black Oak" on one label, and the only other Identifying mark is a QC stamp on them.

Here are 3 of them spread out.

 

One is a really nice contrasting Pecan, and 59 sqft, but this one has an ID label on the back, saying it was made by Townsend Leather.

 

My questions are:

1/ Is there a way to ID the type of leather on the 6 skins above, and if it has a UV or waterproof coating?

We have a Aniline leather couch at home, so I know how that reacts to water... I just want to know if they will work for a sofa and seating?

2/ One of the skins(mustard color 2nd from left), is different to the others... it is stiffer, heavier, and oily/waxy in texture... feels almost burnished, and has a more distresed look..

It has a tag on the back too... Says "Schweizer Nappa, PCP free"

Any thoughts, comment or info would be very much appreciated!

[bikermutt07]

Looks like you got a heck of a deal. I'm not too keen on garment/furniture leather but I'd lay money that it's all chrome tanned. Time to start cranking out some bags.

[Keyair]

Good info guys!

[suzelle]

Looks like you got some beautiful stuff there! Nice range in colors. Although I don't know much about leather (Yet) I want to learn!