US Army Leather holster

[mayagrafix]

I recently acquiered a US Army black leather .45 calibre M1911 holster (Bolen Lea. Prod. - 7791400) but it is hard as rock inside and I get the feeling I'll scratch up my piece when I holster it. Is there anything I can do or is this the way Uncle Sam in all his wisdom thinks .45's should be put away?

[John]

Try treating the inside of the holster with some vaseline. Or some silicone spray.

[103]

John's ideas are good from what I know (I know more about the equipment surrounding the weapons more than the weapons themselves, ha). It may be a good idea to find a WWI, WWI or Vietnam re-enacting forum or website to find out exactly what you should do. School prevents me from even seeing the range much less doing any reenacting, but I'm still on a forum or two and those guys know how to save any piece of gear and restore them. I'd try http://ww2reenactors.proboards35.com/index.cgi?

Remember, these guys not only restore these holsters, they use them in rough conditions for years and years. They know their stuff, heh.

[GusM]

I have always used neats foot oil on old leather products that have dried out or were very stiff. Have used it on baseball gloves, old boots and belts. I don't know of anyone that has used it on a gun holster or case. It is a natural animal oil and I wouldn't think that it would hurt a gun but not sure.
It will darken the color of the leather. I would imagine that any good leather store or saddle shop would carry it.