Mauser Sling preservation

So this is really somewhat of a broader topic but in my case I am concerned with two original leather slings for K98s that I have picked up in my travels. They are both in about the same condition with one a little better than the other. The markings are faint on both but it is clear they are original. It has been my policy when I run across any original leather sling to carefully remove it from the rifle and roll it up loosely and place it in a zipped plastic bag. The thought being that sealed up it might last a little longer?
Beyond all this, I really would like to display them on rifles especially since picking up my matching 98k- I feel like I just about every other accoutrement for it that it needs to have and original sling on it. Generally in this situation, I pick up a replica on IMA, get it dirty and relax the leather at work to make it supple; I do this so I can use the sling as well as have it look the part.
What I am interested in is a good way to preserve the original slings not necessarily to use it to tote the rifle around, but for display and some light use. I know I have heard a million different takes on it before so I am putting it to you guys. What do you do to your slings and other leather goods, mauser or otherwise?

Search out posts by "saddler" on the various forums in this site. He makes his living with leather, and has some specific recommendations. I'd do a search, but it's hard in "mobile mode".

After trying every type of leather preservative I could find, I settled on Pecards. I have been using it for some 30 years now with good results. The secret is to use it as sparingly as possible. The old adage of "if a little does a little good, a lot should do a lot of good" doesn't apply. I rub it in on the smooth side of the leather in coats as thin as I can spread it out. Let this work in before applying another coat. Depending on how dry the leather is, it may take several applications to treat the leather. Don't use heat or sunlight to try and speed up the process. I have found that when Pecards is used sparingly, the change in the color of the leather is minimal, and in some cases it gives dried out leather a healthier color.

How does one know when to stop, per se? Ideally, once the leather is supple and soft then it is good to go. The leather slings I have are both fairly soft and bend easily. For my part, I am more interested in keeping them alive and from dieing which means to keep them from being dry and fragile. So this Picards stuff will keep them 'moist' or oiled I suppose is a better term, and simply by that do the last indefinitely? As in, as long as it doesn't try out, will the leather last for a very very long time?

You want to use just enough to put some oils back in the leather. If your sling is still supple a couple of coats should do, and then another coat every six months or so to maintain the leather.
Several years back I was given a box of Model 1907 slings. The slings had been folded up and tied previously, and virtually all of them had dried out. Some were too dry and brittle to unfold, but others were slowly unfolded, and after treatment were supple enough to install on rifles. This was a case of using multiple coats until the leather softened.

I just hit mine with Ballistol a few times and it is soft as a baby's bottom now.

:thup:

Heres a good thread (click on the link below):

Restoration of leather slings

A leather preservative and a leather softener are two different things. Neatsfoot oil does a good job of softening the leather, but it does it by breaking the fibers down. Ballistol is not recommended on wet formed holsters, as it will break the fibers down and the holster will lose it's preformed shape. Neither are good for long time use on old leather.

+1 for Picards Antique Leather Dressing.... if you must use anything at all.

Regards