[Milsurplus] Leather cleaning

[Hue Miller]

Not painting, but dealing with aged leather:

I had been reading and asking questions about

leather treatments, with an idea to do some

treatment to BG-71 p/o SCR-194/195 aka 

BC-222/322. And also a Japanese backpack 

battery bag - in both cases, very dried out

and cracked leather.  However, a couple 

timely recent articles in "Military Trader"

disuaded me entirely. It seems that ANY

leather treatment in the long run will degrade

the leather. So I suppose some of these

items must remain as 'display only, as-is'

status. FYI, this advice was supported

by professional conservators.

A recent column in same venue chastised

enthusiasts who might nowadays suit up

in vintage uniforms. This made me think

of the trade in recent years of WW2 US

unit-painted bomber jackets, how it was

the vogue for some foreign buyers to buy

them at US auctions, and wear them to 

some kind of collector events in their 

country, along I suppose with other people

dressed up as Mickey Mouse or the Lone

Ranger. I wonder if this trade will keep up

as the USA becomes destitute. Oops -

sorry to bring up bummer thoughts in a

happy season. We still have the best 

place on the planet, overall. Best wishes

to all for health, prosperity, and happiness

in the New Year.  -Hue Miller K7HUE