Garand scabbord - a gift

[nevada]

My father-in-law just keeps on giving. I was doing some work at his house last night, after my wife and I took him to dinner, and found this in the corner of an unused bedroom. I brought it down to show him and he says: "what's that doing here? that's yours." Well tahnk you sir! He's already given me an Arisaka 7.7 with bayo, now this.

It is stamped US SCHOELLKOPF 1942 The top loops are stamped with a 1, the bottom loops with a 2. The leather is THICK and stiff, I probably lost some blueing pushing the rifle all the way in. I guess I need to buy a Jeep to mount it in. (But honey, I NEED one. whine whine) Not gonjna happen, but I have the scabbord.:clapping:

[rustypirate]

Very cool!

[Smokehouse69]

Wow! What a cool excessory for your Garand!!

[nevada]

Thanks. Any idea on how to make the leather ease up? I can hold the scabbard upside down and shake it, the rifle is not coming out. I'd like to find some straps for it too. Not much info on the 'net that I've found, yet.

[Smokehouse69]

Saddle Soap? I've used it on old leather and it does improve it. You can get it at many shoe stores.
Just before I read you post I was looking through a catalog I got in the mail from Atlanta Cutulery, and saw a replica scabbard just like yours in it for $89.95. It has straps with it, you might be able to buy them seperately from them.
www.atlantacutlery.com

[SSwee]

I have used neetsfoot oil on saddles and tack or a mink oil works good.
SS

[M1Marksman]

Saddle soap will clean it, but won't necessarily soften it. Use baseball glove conditioner. That will soften it. Don't forget to clean the brass snaps, too. Nasty green corrosion...

As for the straps, try a leather restoration place. They may be able to match something up for you. Shouldn't be too hard. I wouldn't hold my breath while looking for original 60 year old leather straps.

[XO3319]

Consult with an expert before you put anything on it-- it might destroy the collectors value of an original scabbard

Excellent find

[nevada]

It's as hard as a rock, but not over oiled or dry rotted. I think if I leave the rifle in it for a month it will conform to the countours. I don't want to refinish it. I'll look for a place that can make some old looking straps for it. I found this one for sale, it has nice dtails in several pics. Someone should be able to guesstimate the strap length from them.

[Seattlefungus]

Neetsfoot oil and or Lexall. To get the size container you need a saddle shop of feed store will carry it. I'd sadle soap it 1st. Let it dry over night and use the Leather oil. Let it dry over night and do it once more. I've got one stock saddle thats lasted me over forty years and is still in good shape.

[weasel_master]

A few guys just brought up the subject a few days ago on the mg42 board. Here's a quote from there:
"Neatsfoot oil is a rendering from animals and allows the leather fibers to release from each other and feeds bacteria and fungus. If the leather gets wet, the whole process is accelerated. I grew up on a farm/ranch. It took forever to convience my father and uncle to stop using neatsfoot oil as that is what had always been used, but they finally decided maybe there was a reason that my boots and tack lasted a lot longer than theirs. On another issue...saddle soap...please remember it is SOAP. It pulls the oils out of the leather, drying it out, so it is not some thing that I use unless really, really necessary.

[Longhorn789]

Awesome original accessory!!

I've only seen repros..

Mink oil is good, but will darken it. FWIW, I used to rub vaseline into my baseball glove all thru school. That glove is still as smooth as a baby's rump today and I haven't treated it in 20 years..

[k98k792]

1+ to the Lexall.
I was a professional leather carver and worker in the 70s.That is the best thing for your case.They also make a cleaner

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp?number=2250-01

[nevada]

I found the Lexol at PepBoys. That leather soaked it right up. I put a gun sock on the Garand and shoved it back into the scabbord. That is really thick leather, got an idea how may times I should use the Lexol, K98?

[k98k792]

If it absorbed it evenly, and seems more supple, the one application should do it. But you will have to be the judge.

[SteelCore]

Duuude..that is waaay Kool!:drool: