Cleaning and restoring leather

[Chubber]

I have an almost matched set of leather "Hunter" holsters for a couple of 22 cal single actions I picked up. One has brass snaps, one has steel. In both cases the leather of the holsters is OK, but on the brass one there is some green metal salts around the snaps.

What is the best way to clean and refinish the leather? The leather is a little dry and stiff from being in a "box o holsters" for about 15-20 years, so I want to clean up the leather and make sure that it is ready to go another 20 years.

Tips?

[Poodleshooter]

Check out your local sporting goods department and look for "glove conditioner" AKA neatsfoot oil. Rub some of that into the leather to restore suppleness. Other options: mink oil or saddle soap found in the shoe departments of most stores, or plain Johnson Paste wax (carnauba wax) as used on floors and wood furniture. The mink oil and Johnson wax also make excellent waterproofing agents. The green corrosion is the copper in your brass fittings reacting with the leather. Clean it off with brasso,mild household ammonia or plain old polishing.

[Zoff12]

I'd start out with a good leather soap. I used the same stuff I clean suede with and a toothbrush. It will help clean off the green gunk as well and won't be as harsh on the leather as ammonia or Brasso. Follow up with Mink or Neetsfoot Oil and it will be as good as it's going to get.