1942 Magazine pouch has rusting snap - How do you clean the rust off the canvas?

[southfork]

I have several 1942-44 magazine pouches designed to carry 15-round M1 carbine magazines. These vintage pouches seem to have brass hardware which is tarnished and bluish in places, but not affecting the fabric. One 1942-marked pouch has caused a big rust stain on the pouch fabric, however, because the male portion of the snap is apparently made of steel or iron and has rusted. Were many of the early magazine pouches made with iron hardware? How would you go about trying to remove the rust from the fabric, where it seems to have penetrated all the way through the fabric in an area about the size of a half dollar?

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[browningautorifle]

Don't think there's much you can do there.

[CrossedCannons]

I would try soaking in lemon juice (grocery store citric acid) or "wood bleach" (homedepot oxalic acid). Both complex with ferric ion (and will remove rust). Other complexing agents might also be useful - I know that Navel Jelly (phosphoric acid) will remove rust stains from hardwood flooring.

[browningautorifle]

If that works, let us know would you?

[INLAND44]

How about CLR, Lime Away, etc.? I know they'll eliminate the rust stain - what I don't know is if they'll bleach the fabric. Even if they don't bleach the fabric, would there be any color left in it after removal of rust stains by any means? I have some Lime Away which contains Sulfamic Acid. I'll test it on a piece of cotton web gear and let you know. I have a piece of WWII-era web strapping around here somewhere which would be a good test with the dyes of the period.

ETA: Couldn't find the strapping but I tested an old greenish/khaki bandoleer - no effect on the color or material.

[Curt]

If anyone gets good at this I have a couple 20mm ammo cans full of pouches and belts ill hire you!

[phillydude]

I say leave them alone, you'll take away from the character