French ex-army shoulder bag

[jimbo75]

We (bro and I). Just picked up one of these shoulder bags.. very nice!! Leather details, very solid construction with a canvas outer layer!
The only prob being that the leather is showing it's age, and is a bit stiff/smelly/old etc...
Any suggestions for putting some life back in it?? (dont say Viagra!).
Help most appreciated.
p.s. An excellent purchase (thoroughly recommended and cheap bit of kit).
Cheers. jimbo

http://jimbobushcraft.blogspot.com/

 

[PRKL]

You can get small botlles of liquid,combo of softening and refurbishing,vitalising stuff from many equestrian shops,ive used those for vintage bicycle saddles,horse saddles etc,that have been mistreated and abandoned for ages,having dried and cracked etc.

some stuff that i have used is:

Effax leather-balm

Also Windsor is good trademark for troubled leatherware,like pouches with mildew etc.

Ive noticed that nowadays,the really good leathercaring products are hard to find from regular stores& markets but knive & equestrian shops offer good products as they are about the only business left,that still use a lot of leather gear...plus motorcycle shops.