82 MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



merits of the soldier, the horse equipments for cavalry, or the artillery 

 harness except the preparations supplied by the Ordnance Depart- 

 ment for that purpose." (A.R. 293) 



REASON FOR OILING OF LEATHER 



Leather, as it comes from the tannery in manufacture, is hard, rough, 

 brittle, inflexible, and readily absorbs water. To remove these unde- 

 sirable qualities and render the leather soft, pliable, flexible, and imper- 

 vious to water, to increase the strength and toughness of the fiber, and 

 to give the leather such a surface color and finish as will make it most 

 sightly and suitable for the purpose for which intended, the manufac- 

 ture is continued by hand-stuffing it with a dubbing made of pure cod 

 liver oil and tallow, which the experience of curriers has shown to be 

 the best material for this purpose. This dubbing is thoroughly ab- 

 sorbed by the leather, penetrating it completely, and is not merely 

 limited to the surface. 



The russet leather now used by the Ordnance Department in the 

 manufacture of all leather equipments is pure oak tanned, of No. 1 tan- 

 nage and finish, hand-stuffed with a light dubbing made of pure cod 

 liver oil and tallow to preserve the leather, the dubbing being so spar- 

 ingly used that the oil will not exude. This leather as it comes from 

 the manufacturer contains enough oil to materially improve its quality 

 and prolong its life, but not enough to soil the clothing if the equipment 

 is properly cared for. No oil whatever is added to the leather in the 

 manufacture at the Government arsenals. 



CARE OF RUSSET LEATHER 



Leather equipments which have become wet should be dried in 

 the shade. Wet leather exposed to the direct rays of the sun or to heat 

 of stove or radiator becomes hard and brittle. 



When russet-leather equipments become soiled in service they 

 should be cleaned by carefully washing the leather with a .sponge 

 moistened with a heavy lather made of clean water and Castile or 

 Frank Miller's soap, and then rubbing vigorously with a dry cloth un- 

 til the leather is completely dry.' They should then be oiled and the 

 oil well rubbed in. 



If the leather becomes harsh, dry and brittle from exposure to water 

 or other causes, clean as above described, and while the leather is still 

 moist apply an exceedingly light coat of neats foot oil by rubbing with 

 a soft cloth moistened (not saturated) with the oil. If it is found that 

 too much oil has been used, the surplus can readily be removed by 

 rubbing with a sponge moistened with naptha or gasoline But these 

 oils are not issued for this purpose. 



Where a polish is desired, the leather should first be thoroughly 

 cleaned and the leather polish or dressing supplied by the Ordnance 

 Department should be applied sparingly and thoroughly rubbed in 

 with a soft drv cloth. Scars, cuts, or abrasions of the leather may be 



