7. SERVICE REQUIREMENTS.-Regarding the requirements
in the service as to the care of leather, we find, generally, that in the field our main
consideration is to keep the equipment serviceable, without regard to a high state of
appearance. To do this, however, under campaign conditions is, as every soldier knows,
difficult. Constant exposure to weather (sun, wind, and rain), mud, road water (moisture,
decaying organic matter, dirt, etc.), sweat, and extremely hard usage, combines not only
to wash the essential preserving oils from the leather, but to grind into it substances
that cannot be considered otherwise than deleterious. If, therefore, we can, in the field,
keep our leather clean, protect it in camp from weather as much as possible, and
periodically renew its oils, we should be able, not only to preserve it and maintain its
serviceably, but return with it to garrison after a period of extended field duty in such
a condition that we can, with a minimum of labor, bring it back into what might be called
"garrison shape." By garrison shape we mean a condition in which the leather is
not only serviceable and constantly ready for campaign, but also in which the leather is
of nearly uniform color and can be readily brought, despite daily use, to a high state of
appearance, as for Saturday inspection, parades, reviews, etc.
While it may seem that these requirements are
somewhat in conflict, it is nevertheless believed that they can be met by following one of
the methods for care and preservation to be outlined. At the outset, it must be stated
that, if the leather is not too far gone from the effects of hard usage, neglect and
previous dyeing, particularly if the dyes have been burned into the surface of the
leather, there are many ways in which this may be done. Any method that meets the
requirements is at least a satisfactory one. Experience over a long period of time, under
all conditions, is the only laboratory for establishing the relative merits of any one
method. Likewise is the same statement true in regard to the selection and use of cleaning
and preserving agents, a wise and very old rule to follow being: "Put nothing back
into the leather that was not taken from it during the tanning process." Also are we
concerned with the availability and cost of materials, which limits us to the use either
of issue items or those that can be otherwise universally and cheaply obtained.
Fortunately, it can be said that all issue items that meet government specifications are
of excellent quality, and that their correct use will go far toward meeting the
requirements previously mentioned.
8. EQUIPMENT IN STORAGE. All leather equipment in
storage should be kept in a cool, dry place; and, depending either upon excessive aridity
or excessive rainfall, should be inspected periodically as follows:
(1) In temperate climes - once or twice a year.
(2) In semi-tropical climes - two or three times a year.
(3) In tropical climes - three or more times a year.
- Where inspections disclose the following-named
conditions, the procedure should be as follows:
- (1) Dampness.-Hang or place the damp article in
the sun or other dry place where there is a free circulation of air, but do not leave
exposed to the sun after the dampness is gone.
(2) Mold.-Remove all mold (a fungus growth, which if allowed to remain will destroy
the leather fibers) immediately by wiping with a moist cloth and allowing the article to
dry by exposure to air before returning to storage.
(3) Excess oil.-Inasmuch as too much oil is detrimental to all leather, all oil
that appears on the surface of the leather, or exuding from the pores, should be wiped off
with a clean, dry cloth.
(4) Dryness.-Since no leather should be allowed to dry out entirely, if found so
(hard, brittle, lacking "life"), it should be given a light re-application of
dubbin, any excess of which should be wiped off before restoring.
9. EQUIPMENT IN SERVICE.-Generally speaking, all
serviceable equipment in daily use can be maintained perfectly by a proper daily cleaning
with a good grade of soap as soon as possible after use. This should always be done before
sweat, mud, etc., have been allowed to dry and harden, which not only subjects the leather
to the deleterious effects of these substances, but makes cleaning much more difficult. It
should also be given a periodic polishing with a good grade of leather dressing. A
thorough cleaning and reoiling two or three times a year is also necessary, depending upon
usage and climatic conditions. Good grades of saddle soap and leather dressing both
contain oils that, if used correctly, will preserve leather for long periods of time with
normal garrison usage under normal conditions.
