Maintenance to an old leather belt

[btns]

How do I preserve a c.1900 military black leather belt?
It is dry and hard. It is intact but has an occasional crack here and there.

[REMEVMBEA1]

You could try saddle soap.

[revdougal]

Also Castor Oil. This was recommended to me many years ago by a cobbler of the old school - he did just about everything by hand. He said that castor oil was "vegetable", better than using a mineral oil. In fact on his advice I rejuvenated a pair of 1WW riding boots, whose leather had begun to go dry/powdery; does not do much for a shine, but brings leather back to life, before putting the shine back.

[GriffMJ]

SADDLE SOAP...... thats what was used..... you can buy it on eBay.... I recommend "Fiebings Saddle soap".

[David Tremain]

You can also use lanolin and neatsfool oil (60:40 proportion). David

[barriefield-brian]

Have seen a lot of yeas and nays for leather. Have been using Pecards but have also seen yeas and nays for this. So far appears to be working well but does tend to darken the leather a bit. Cheers Brian

[btns]

Thank you all very much for your replies. They have been most helpful, because I did not know any of the procedures and products for leather treatment.
Your replies and the internet agree. The proper treatment is:
1) cleaning with a leather soap
2) adding oil/grease etc. to keep the leather flexible.

After that I submitted my question to a museum specialised on historic leather, i.e. shoes.
My information:
What is the best preservation method for a 1900 leather belt, clean and dried out?
I am not planning to use it.

The surprising answer:
If it is clean and if you do not want to use it, then keep it as it is.
Any additives such as oil or grease would introduce a risk of saponification and fungi. A higher nutritive value makes it more vulnerable to insects.