How to Clean & Preserve Old Leather Rifle Slings
A handsome old rifle simply does not look right with a new sling. Rifle slings are made of heavy leather, usually 8-oz. leather cowhide, and so can be cleaned and restored for active use. The challenges with an old sling are dryness, cracking and staining, all of which you can remedy, and without special equipment. Often it is the loops that dry and crack through, in which case, you will need to stitch on a patch; otherwise, you can manage with saddle soap, conditioner and some leather dye. No literature exists on preserving leather rifle slings, but, the methods for preserving horse tack transfer very well.
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Things You'll Need
- Saddle soap
- Soft cloths
- Gentle wool detergent
- Oil, neatsfoot or mink
- Metal polish
- Lightweight leather (2 to 3 oz.) (optional)
- Leather adhesive (optional)
- Leather stitching nipper (optional)
- Stitching awl (optional)
- Leather dye or shoe cream
Instructions
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1
Brush off any dirt, then wipe off any more dirt with a dampened cloth.
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2
Work up a lather on a cake of saddle soap, or a bar of glycerin soap. If you have neither handy, use a strong solution of Murphy's Oil Soap.
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3
Soap the sling, from one end to the other, paying particular attention to the loops on either end. Soap both sides of the sling (skipping any fabric padding).
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4
Loosen the loops, now that the leather is wet and flexible.
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5
Clean any fabric pads with a solution of a gentle wool detergent, and sponge away any leftover detergent with a damp cloth. Brush out any sheepskin pads.
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6
Polish any metal hardware with a quality metal polish (taking care not to get the polish on the leather). Use fine steel wool (000 grade) if necessary to remove any tarnish or rust.
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7
Inspect the length of the sling and the loops for any side-to-side cracks. If you believe that the sling is in danger of breaking with use, then you must patch the cracks.
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8
Cut a piece of 2 to 3-oz. leather (or whatever thin leather you can find), the width of the sling, and about three inches long.
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Glue this patch on the inside (less visible) side of the sling, with the crack at the center of the patch. Allow the glue to dry completely.
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10
Stitch the patch, if the crack is in the loop ends. Use the leather nippers (a sort of plyer with fork-like teeth) to punch stitching holes lengthwise, along either side of the patch. Stitch with your leather stitching awl, using heavy-duty thread or dental floss.
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Apply neatsfoot or mink oil to the sling, on both the outside and inside.
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12
Blend any patches with either shoe polish or leather dye to match the sling.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not return the loops to their original shape; this is where weaknesses and cracking likely have developed.
For a very old, very dry leather sling, heat some neatsfoot oil on a warming plate, or by leaving it in the sun. Apply the oil liberally, once a day for three to four days, and wipe off any excess.
Maintain your sling with a conditioner like Lexol, which is a favorite among stable hands for treating rugged horse tack and riding gear.
If the leather flakes or turns to dust easily with light rubbing, then the sling has developed "red rot" and cannot be salvaged.
