How do I preserve/restore a leather scabbard?

[Low-Pressure]

I purchased a K-11 with a Pioneer bayonet. The leather scabbard and frog are a little dry. I was wondering what is the best way to preserve or restore it. Will it hurt the value of the scabbard if I do it? Any advise would be helpful. Thanks.

[glennsche]

that one looks ok to me, it just looks scratched not really damaged. i would leave that one alone if its not dry and cracking and in danger of disintegrating.

if you wanted to, you could keep your eyes open for swiss army leather creme. the german word for it is "lederfett" (leather fat), which you could apply? i wouldnt think this would be degrade the value of things.

[llamatrnr]

If you're in the San Diego area, I have just the stuff for it.

[Low-Pressure]

Thanks for the quick reply. The frog looks to be fine, but the scabbard has some spots that are a little dry. The loop that ties it to the frog is really dry to the touch and is cracking. I'm scared that it might fall off later it not attended to now.

[Low-Pressure]

If you're in the San Diego area, I have just the stuff for it.

Thanks for the offer, I wish I was a little closer.

[Mutant]

Rub it on Angelina Jolie's thigh. May not help the leather but you won't care one bit.

[ElvenSoul]

Leather New

[TRAP55]

Neetsfoot oil, warm it up on the stove in a coffee can, and rub it into the leather with a cotton rag. Besides softening and conditioning the leather, it will pull the dirt and grime out too. Wipe off the excess, and let it set out in the sun for a while, turning it and wiping it down as you do.

[llamatrnr]

Neetsfoot oil, warm it up on the stove in a coffee can, and rub it into the leather with a cotton rag. Besides softening and conditioning the leather, it will pull the dirt and grime out too. Wipe off the excess, and let it set out in the sun for a while, turning it and wiping it down as you do.

May I mention to be sure it is Neetsfoot Oil, not "compound", as the latter will rot the stitches.

A quick dunk in water beforehand will open the pores and make the leather more receptive to the oil.

Rather than trying to reach down to the narrow interior point, simple pour the oil in, let it set for a minute or two, then pour out into the rag you'll use for the exterior.

[marysdad]

Pecards Antique Leather Dressing is used a lot.

Having the earlier leather scabbard is nice. The leather frog securing tab is missing from the scabbard, so someone put it in a later frog, made for use with the Stgw. 57 bayonet. Frogs are usually marked on the reverse with the maker's name and a two-digit year of manufacture. Your frog probably dates from the 1980s.

Nice bayonet!

[Spirit 1]

May I mention to be sure it is Neetsfoot Oil, not "compound", as the latter will rot the stitches.

A quick dunk in water beforehand will open the pores and make the leather more receptive to the oil.

Rather than trying to reach down to the narrow interior point, simple pour the oil in, let it set for a minute or two, then pour out into the rag you'll use for the exterior.

Don't want to cause upset but I don't think the comment regarding dunking in water first is correct. If anything the water & neatsfoot oil will repel one another, and neatsfoot might tend to float on top of water instead of soaking in. Neetsfoot oil is used as a water proofing afterall, to repel water and snow.

By pre-wetting with water the pores of leather, though now opened, are also partially filled with water leaving less overall space for oil. I'd suggest it's better to apply leather dressing directly to leather without using water as a pre-treatment.

Fiebings makes a nice neatsfoot oil compound liquid that really soaks in quickly and completely. So far after several years I haven't had any problems with this particular product as a compound rotting or deteriorating stitching, not to say it can't just that it hasn't. Might depend on material used for stitching as much of mine is synthetic stuff and not old world whatever they used.

[TRAP55]

If marysdad recommends Pecards Antique Leather Dressing, I would use that.

[Low-Pressure]

Thanks for all the recommendations. I don't really want to hurt the scabbard and frog, so a little research should help me decide on which product to use.

Pecards Antique Leather Dressing is used a lot.

Having the earlier leather scabbard is nice. The leather frog securing tab is missing from the scabbard, so someone put it in a later frog, made for use with the Stgw. 57 bayonet. Frogs are usually marked on the reverse with the maker's name and a two-digit year of manufacture. Your frog probably dates from the 1980s.

Nice bayonet!

I went to go and check the frog and saw that it does have the makers name and year on the back of the frog.
Here's a picture

[marysdad]

I stand corrected. Your scabbard indeed has the securing strap.

Your frog is really interesting. It is an old 1940 buckle-type frog, where the buckle has been removed and replaced by the later aluminum stud used with the Stgw. 57 frog. They just cut a slit in the securing strap to accommodate the stud. I have never encountered a hybrid frog like that. Carter did not document it in his books. I'm sure it is legit. Very cool find!

As far as you scabbard goes, unless you really feel that it needs treatment, leaving it alone is probably fine. I really like these brown leather scabbards vs. the steel version.

[Low-Pressure]

I stand corrected. Your scabbard indeed has the securing strap.

Your frog is really interesting. It is an old 1940 buckle-type frog, where the buckle has been removed and replaced by the later aluminum stud used with the Stgw. 57 frog. They just cut a slit in the securing strap to accommodate the stud. I have never encountered a hybrid frog like that. Carter did not document it in his books. I'm sure it is legit. Very cool find!

As far as you scabbard goes, unless you really feel that it needs treatment, leaving it alone is probably fine. I really like these brown leather scabbards vs. the steel version.

Thanks! I'm still new to all this C&R stuff and I'm glad that I am learning something new from people who likes to share what they know.