Renewing Old Leather Shot Flask

[Marc Adamchek]

I've acquired a pretty nice shot flask circa 1850. The really good thing about it is IT WORKS! The lever and spring(s) do what they're supposed to and will keep closed when not in use and let the shot pour when needed.I have no intention of shining up the brass spout or any of its mechanisms, don't want to mess with its nice patina.

However, without trying to make the leather body shine like a race horse's arse, I DO want to put some kind of leather dressing/lotion on/in to keep it from drying out. There's a couple of minor scuffs - I know I can't do anything about them - but the rest of theleather is in pretty good shape, but it definitely is DRY.

Anyone know of the perfect product to use on this leather and how best to go about applying and working it in without destroying the flask?

I'd really appreciate a helping hand. Many Thanks - Marc

 

[Zonie]

Try Neatsfoot Oil on it.

You can find it at most sporting goods stores because it is often used on new baseball gloves.

Lanolin is another thing that can be used.

If used to excess both of these will soften the leather so don't over do it.

Follow the oil treatment with a few good coats of a black or brown shoe polish (you didn't say what the color was) like Kiwi to protect it from water.

If you don't want it to shine like a race horses posterior just don't buff it when the wax dries.

 

[necchi]

"Try Neatsfoot Oil on it."

That's the stuff my leather shop guy's uses and recomends for old dry belts, saddle tack and such. I've used it but usually before something get's really bad.
If you do use Neatsfoot oil, don't over do it with a single heavy application, several light coats through several days or weeks is better, after all the leather didn't get like it is now overnight. It'll take a little time to help it along,

 

[kelleyjk]

I treat & preserve lots of leather, for lots of different applications, holsters belts jackets boots and I like Lexol and Lexol cleaner its a liquid though and penetrates well maybe too well for this task

Like Zonie said many products like lanolin mink oil Sno Seal will soften leather, softening leather is not your goal here I suspect

If it needs cleaning Id clean it first with saddle soap or Lexol cleaner (not Lexol), then after its completely dry apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly rubbing off any excess

Nokona (baseball gloves) recommends petroleum jelly because it does not soak in and does not soften the leather just protects it.

Another great product is Meltonian shoe cream, its a wax goes on easy and buffs out nicely, I protected some antique leather items with this (they arent in use) for 20yrs with no ill effects still shiney though not sure if it'd hold up tromping around the woods in the rain or anything

 

[Supercracker]

Be careful with putting too much on at once. Like Necchi said, do light applications spread out over time.

If leather is very very dry and you slather oil on it all the little tiny cracks can split wide open as the top layer absorbs the oil and expands more than the rest. I've had old saddles and tack do this.

 

[JMinnerath]

Neatsfoot oil isn't the best thing for old dried leather. The leather will soak it up like a sponge and turn pure black, ask how I know this
The leather needs to be cleaned first then a preservation wax applied.
Lexol cleaner is pretty good, not as strong as regular saddle soap, and there is a soap made from fish oil museums use.
If you google leather preservation, you should find some links to products used by professional preservers.

 

[Marc Adamchek]

My many thanks to you all, but it was your mention of "museums", Mr Minnerath, that led me to my answer. I use a fine wax, supposedly used by the British Museum (called Renaissance), on the wood of all my antique guns. I read the can again and it assured me it was successful on leather as well as wood and metals. Sure enough, it did a fine job. I just needed my noggin knocked a bit to find the correct product right in my gun safe!

 

[JMinnerath]

Glad you found what you needed.
Old leather goods that have received no care for years can be tough to do much with.
Sometimes about all you can do is try to give them a light cleaning and a protective polish and then put them on display.

 

[kelleyjk]

agreed

just dont seal in a bunch of dirt with that wax

sometimes I have trouble telling between dirt and patina :haha:

I have found some waxes like that Melotonian will actually lift some dirt

 

Marc,
I have a number of old pouches and flasks, leather, that needed cleaning and dressing. The best thing I have found is "Pecard's Antique Leather Dressing". It's like a paste wax, and is applied like wax and then I heat it lightly with a hair dryer. It does not soak the leather like some liquids and darken it and it does not smell. I got it at the Log Cabin Shop.
Mark

 

[Marc Adamchek]

Thanks, Papa, for the confirmation of this dressing that was recommended earlier. It's also a nice point that you've used it for exactly the smae purpose I intend to.

 

[hoochiepapa]

Another product that will protect is Conservator's Wax and is available from leevalley.com

 

[Marc Adamchek]

Thanks, Mike - It looks like a good choice too!

 

[Troy Allen Christianson]

I did some googling and found several sites that all mention saddle soap as a cleaner/restorer. I would do some more complete web searches on what is best to restore your pouch/flask. One site recommended checking with Museums or other organizations that do restoration/preservation work. Good luck with your flask. Post a picture and let us have a peek.