Recommendations on Preserving M3 Holster

[Historian13]

I recently picked up a Victory revolver and holster which have been severely neglected. The worst is it appears the revolver and holster sat somewhere where water leaked onto it, corroded through the holster, and then severely corroded part of the revolver's exterior. Otherwise, the holster's leather has been allowed to become fairly brittle. As a result, a section of strap which went through a buckle has almost ripped in half.

I'm looking for recommendations on what I can use to preserve the areas of the holster which haven't broken. I'm also interested if there's anything I can do to bond/seal the split leather strap pieces together. I don’t expect it to be functional, but I'd like for it to look presentable in a display case.

 

[H Richard]

I'm sure others will be along with recommendations, but just wanted to make sure you don't use Neets Foot Oil on it. It may cause more damage. Look for a good leather moisture, like Block Rock. I'm sure there are many others probably better. Also, don't overlook a local shoe repair service for repair of the torn leather.

 

[Historian13]

Thanks, in the Google searching I've done so far I've seen this is a highly debated subject, so I'm taking it slow in order to avoid irreversible mistakes. Admittedly I'm not sure how much the rig is actually worth right now, but I see people on ebay trying to sell comparable or worse condition holsters for $100+ so maybe still something.

So far I've been specifically recommended Blackrock Leather N Rich, and one guy recommended lanolin.

 

[Matt_X]

One of the reasons there is contradictory information is all types of leather are lumped together. Military leather of this era was treated much the same as tack and saddlery - and it seems that made sense because its similar leather and construction. Compare that with say a service shoe of the same era. They are also made of leather but they weren't treated like saddle leather.

The other difference is museum storage and display versus field use. An item in field use needs to resist moisture absorbtion and not attract and hold dirt and grit. Museum focus is on conserving and stabilizing while also protection from UV, drying out, rots, etc.

 

[kwill1911]

Do nothing.

 

[Fessor]

I would leave it as is for display. If you "preserve" portions of the undamaged leather, the holster condition will be uneven. Right now, the overall appearance of wear and condition of the holster matches.

 

[Historian13]

That makes sense, thanks @Matt_X

I've heard that recommendation as well, @kwill1911 but my concern is, if nothing else, the torn portion of the strap is fairly close to being torn off. You or anyone else can correct me if I'm wrong, but the strap being torn off would harm the value more than taking steps to preserve it. Likewise, since the next level down for condition is it being torn in half, I doubt I can do much more harm to the material than that

Also a fair point @Fessor , but am I mistaken in believing it's important to prevent the holster strap from tearing off completely?

Offhand, what do you guys figure the holster is worth in this condition? Since I'm asking that, how much if at all does it matter to have the matching revolver?

 

[AJ]

I had one restitched by Doc Barranti https://barrantileather.com/ He did a fabulous job. He may be able to help with repairs or give you some suggestions.

In the condition it is in, I would gently clean it, put something on the leather to preserve it. Then I would put it and the revolver in a glass fronted case for display.

 

[kwill1911]

As long as it is just for display, I think there is no need to restitch the strap. A "gentle" clean can be done but no saddle soap, no neatsfoot oil, no magic unguent that "feeds" or "reconditions" the leather. Twaddle.

 

[Historian13]

Thanks for the recommendation @AJ

And gotcha @kwill1911 how would you recommend I clean it?

I've also adjusted the strap so the segment which is being stretched and torn is no longer in the buckle, which I figured was causing it further strain.

 

[kwill1911]

I think just a good brushing with a shoe brush is all I would do.

 

[quietman123]

I had a Luger holster repaired and the gent said lanolin was applied.

 

[Historian13]

@kwill1911 nice, thanks

@quietman123 yeah, I saw another person recommend that as well.

I'll probably just brush the holster and focus on scrubbing the pistol for now while I weigh my options on doing anything further with the holster

 

[Matt_X]

Might want to look at TM9-850. The 1942 edition is available from g**gle books and probably also at the internet web archive. Pages 27-28 will provide a pretty good idea about what the Army thought was best at the time, and how your example was originally treated.

 

[jeffrefrig]

We have a pretty good shoe repair shop over in Fox Chapel. If it was mine I’d ask him for suggestions, as H Richard up above mentioned. Maybe you have a shoe guy that could offer suggestions. I’ve cleaned up a couple older holsters with Ballistol and a cotton tee shirt rag. But with that tear, I kinda like the “do nothing” mentioned above. Good luck. It’s for display so that may be your best idea. If you do get it fixed up, you are obligated to show the results!!!

 

[Gun Relics]

I recently picked up a Victory revolver and holster which have been severely neglected. The worst is it appears the revolver and holster sat somewhere where water leaked onto it, corroded through the holster, and then severely corroded part of the revolver's exterior. Otherwise, the holster's leather has been allowed to become fairly brittle. As a result, a section of strap which went through a buckle has almost ripped in half.

I'm looking for recommendations on what I can use to preserve the areas of the holster which haven't broken. I'm also interested if there's anything I can do to bond/seal the split leather strap pieces together. I don’t expect it to be functional, but I'd like for it to look presentable in a display case.

So it looks like the strap has already been repaired. I would have that professionally restitched.

There is nothing you can do to repair the broken area that won't dramatically affect the look of the entire holster and ruin it's vintage feel. The rig is pretty complete and is cool looking even with the damage. The only concern I would have is mold. Some leather conditioners darken the leather - which you don't want. I use Bick 4 leather conditioner and put on a few coats. It protects and smooths the appearance without darkening the leather.

Here are some of mine - all treated with Bick 4:

 

[Historian13]

Interesting idea @Matt_X I hadn't thought of that

Unfortunately no one comes to mind @jeffrefrig but I'll keep asking around

That's also interesting @Gun Relics why do you believe it's already been repaired? I think I'd leave the hole in the body of the holster though, yes. Right now I'll definitely brush it, I'm leaning towards finding some substance to apply to the leather, and I'm leaning away from stitching the strap but I'm also concerned about it breaking entirely. Thinking about it, whether I stitch it now or after it completely breaks is probably about the same thing from a collecting standpoint

 

[Gun Relics]

Interesting idea @Matt_X I hadn't thought of that

Unfortunately no one comes to mind @jeffrefrig but I'll keep asking around

That's also interesting @Gun Relics why do you believe it's already been repaired? I think I'd leave the hole in the body of the holster though, yes. Right now I'll definitely brush it, I'm leaning towards finding some substance to apply to the leather, and I'm leaning away from stitching the strap but I'm also concerned about it breaking entirely. Thinking about it, whether I stitch it now or after it completely breaks is probably about the same thing from a collecting standpoint

It looks like it was stitched at some point but it came apart. Could have been a field repair. Here's a blowup and lightening up of the photo. See the threads? If that's just a seam that came apart below the tear, you could have it stitched and hidden by the new seam. I have bought similar original WWII holsters in great shape for $150 - $200 so you may want to do that, but yours is a complete set. For .45's it's similar to an M3 "tanker" holster because the tank crews liked shoulder rigs. The Victory version had .38 belt loops and different stitching.

 

[kwill1911]

I might be wrong but I see no threads, only leather fibers. I still vote to leave it alone.

 

[Gun Relics]

This is from one of my books "Military Holsters of WWII" by Bender - it's a great resource for all countries and holster types.