Holster Restoration

[oink]

I have a somewhat vintage I bought off the bay site. I stretched it to fit my 3" 60-10. It's a flap holster. My original intent was was for something protective for the gun for when I'm working out in the woods here in S.Fl. Well, after using it for that a few days I discovered that those conditions are just too brutal for the otherwise nice holster. It got soaked with swear, stained and scratched with thorns. I'll obviously have to find something else but I don't know what yet.

The reason for this post is that I'd like to restore the holster as much as practical. What treatment would be best? I realize I can't undo the scratches but what can I do. I don't want to use anything that will weaken or rot the leather. Yeah, I realize it's not a collectors item but I do like it.

 

[s&wchad]

I'd keep using it. It securely carries your gun and protects it from the elements.

A coat of wax might help preserve the holster, but a Triple K isn't really collectable. There's no reason to replace it.

 

[Onomea]

How about some saddle soap cleaning and then buff with a neutral paste/shoe wax?

CrazyPhil, who knows his holsters, likes to use a bit of Dawn dish soap in warm water with a rag for cleaning. I have not tried that, but I bet that would work well.

Your holster does not look particularly dry to me. If they're dried out, I like to use Leather 'n Rich. (Some here are fans. Others are not. I like the stuff.)

 

[jeffrefrig]

My dad's K22 lived in a Bauer Bros. holster all my 67 years and probably before me. Dad took it rabbit hunting and it had the jagger bush scars. Kept the gun safe. I sprayed some Ballistol on a test spot and wiped it in with pretty good success, then I did the whole thing. Cleaned up nice. It's good on baseball gloves, etc., so I use it sometimes on gun stuff, wood & metal, too. Its main ingredient is mineral oil, same as the old refrigeration oil, which I've used on new tool belts to break them in like a ball glove.
Good luck!
FWIW, I'd take s&wchad's advice, also, as well as Onomea's. The clear paste wax will protect it like my old Sunday School shoes.

 

[jeeps]

Snow Seal and hairdryer.

 

[chief38]

All I'd do is apply a coat of Kiwi or Lincoln shoe polish on it and buff. Triple K holsters are not exactly "The Bee's Knees" and since you already have it - use it as a woods beater holster. Even if it gets beat up beyond use in a few years, you can easily replace it with similar or even better. It will do its job and at least protect your gun.

 

[gwpercle]

Red Nichols would be the man to answer this question .
Maybe he will see this question and give us some sound advice.
Gary

 

[Greyman50]

Having " restored " many collectable US military holster for around 50 years there are a few strong suggestions. First use a damp rag, piece of old bath towel or similar to carefully wipe of surface dirt. Allow holster , belt or pouch to completely dry. DO NOT apply Any treatment that contains petroleum to Any item with old stitching, it will destroy threads. A belt with no stitching may be ok.Many guys use Pecards antique leather restorer but it Turns the leather very dark. Friend made a mixture of tallow and bees wax that worked the best on leather pieces with old stitching. S posted above a Triple K holster is just utilitarian and not collectable unless it has special sentimental value.

 

[oink]

I appreciate the responses. I know the holster isn't a collectable. I wouldn't have bought it if it was. The first thing I did was wet it and stretch the snot out of it so it would fit the 60-10. While it was designed for a 3" it wasn't designed for the 60-10 .357 with underlug and adjustable sights with taller front. It fits perfectly now.

I bought the holster to be used but it doesn't look like it would last long under the conditions it got subjected to. I'm sure it would last a long time with normal woods use which is what I'll restrict it's use for, if I can find something protective but more suitable for the abusive environment. I didn't have great luck finding many protective holster alternatives for the gun.

On the other hand, I really just wanted to use it for my snake gun while bashing around in the brush (overgrown pine flat woods with plenty palmetto heads). I suppose for that purpose I'll just go back to my old 60 no dash or 640 either of which should be easier to find options for. They'll both work fine for snakes at the range I'd care about. Coyotes are pretty rare in my immediate area.

I do like the 60-10 and may be interested in a fancier looking rig for it, just because. So I'm open to suggestions there.

 

[KalamazooKid]

You might also try the search function on this site as there's a ton of threads on this very topic.

 

[jack the toad]

As mentioned, Blackrock Leather-N-Rich seems good.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

I'd keep using it. It securely carries your gun and protects it from the elements.

A coat of wax might help preserve the holster, but a Triple K isn't really collectable. There's no reason to replace it.

^^^^^^^^^^^what he said.

 

[mikerjf]

As a part-time FL guy who's been out in the bush a little, I'd say get a cheap synthetic (nylon?) holster for it. Ebay may help.

I use leather OWB when hiking, but I don't bust brush or go in the water. Usually!