Long term C&R storage questions

[Jimja]

What's the best way to store C&R pistols/rifles, bayonets, leather holsters, etc. over a long period of time? Some of the C&R's I have are over 100 years old, I'd like to keep them in the best shape possible for the next 100+ years (not that I'd live that long)

For C&R pistols and rifles, I was thinking that storing them in borestores/gunsocks and in a safe with some silica packets is the best way to do it. I make sure they are clean and wipe them down with clp before they are stored away. Any suggestions?

What's the best way to store leather holsters/slings? Use some light leather conditioner and keep them in a dry box with silica packets? Check every few months to make sure the leather is not too dry?
I know you're not supposed to store firearms in leather holsters as that can cause rust, but I've seen some people on forums wrap their pistols in saran wrap before putting them in a holster.

What about bayonets/daggers? A dealer friend of mine told me to stay away from putting oil on high-end dagger blades, according to him that's a sign of "monkey business"

I don't have one at the moment, but what about a canvas Nambu holster? I've seen a few at shows, some of them are very brittle. What's a good way of preserving canvas made items like these?

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[scifigunner]

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=zcorr&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=13991592347&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9671557436508173592&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_4xgh8ic4fr_b

[81turbota]

Why not do it as the Russians did it? Don't dip the rifle in grease, but I have been thinking about using some automotive synthetic grease to protect bores/actions.

[Enfield47]

Are you planning on shooting the guns or just packing them away for a long period of time? There are specialty bags made for long term storage - poly gun bags is one brand.

For the canvas holster, I'll ask my mother in law. She did fabric restoration work on everything from Victorian clothing to tapestries from the 15th century for years. Depending on condition though, you may be able to stop further degradation of the fabric but you may not be able to handle it - it might be just a display piece under glass.

[knucklehead0202]

When I had the space in the safe, I'd wipe them down with a fairly heavy amount of oil, stick 'em in a gun sock and tuck them away. They come out looking just the way they went in.

[Enfield47]

I don't have one at the moment, but what about a canvas Nambu holster? I've seen a few at shows, some of them are very brittle. What's a good way of preserving canvas made items like these?

Any thoughts or suggestions?

For the canvas holster, I'll ask my mother in law. She did fabric restoration work on everything from Victorian clothing to tapestries from the 15th century for years. Depending on condition though, you may be able to stop further degradation of the fabric but you may not be able to handle it - it might be just a display piece under glass.

I asked my mother in-law about this for you. If it is the rubberized canvas, she hasn't had any experience with that type of material. She mentioned that if it is regular canvas that is dry rotting the best you can do is try to preserve it, but you will never be able to use it without it falling apart. Unfortunately, it would just be a display piece.

[Tonymin]

keep them oily, keep them dry

[nick]

Use a good rust-inhibiting lubricant, such as EEZOX, store them in a safe with proper humidity control, and you might want to use a gun sock with VCI. That's what I do, and I've had no rust issues so far. I do live in a fairly humid place, by SoCal standards though.

[Divernhunter]

Poly Bag. I have stored some for a number of years in them and still are good.

[kcheung2]

I'm surprised no one's mentioned cosmoline.

[morthrane]

Anyone used one of these VCI bags? http://www.zcorrproducts.com/collections/

(saw on another forum, haven't used them myself)