Brooks toolboxes

[R]

I have come across these. Bit battered, bit crusty and a bit modified ?
They have dried out, considerably, what is best for 'revitalysing/rehydrating' them ?
They seem to be in black - unless they have been coated with something ?
Very thick heavy leather.
Would, at a pinch, fit my old Triumph project.


Closest I could find of their ancestors is these (modern remakes).
https://files.ekmcdn.com/wisedale123/images/toolboxes-veterans-brooks-2306-p.jpg

So the lock/clip has been added at some point ?
Brookes made quite a range, when you scout about ...

[33d6]

I think they might not be motorcycle. Such toolboxes were also used on various bits of Army equipment for example. Artillery pieces, searchlights and the like. They seem too sturdy for motorcycle use and most motorcycle boxes didn’t have locks, just buckles.
I like them and I’d certainly use them on a bike but I think they came from a more exotic source.

[R]

Interesting.
I think the 'locks' have been added.
(And if there is a key involved, it is absolutely tiny)

They are a perfect fit on an old Triumph.
And the purveyor of early Triumph parts sells Brookes replicas.
What these may have started out as ??

https://files.ekmcdn.com/wisedale123/images/toolboxes-veterans-brooks-2306-p.jpg

[33d6]

They’re “honest person” locks. That is, they stop honest people being tempted or being nosy but are useless against thieves.   Easy to force open but this is immediately obvious to the casual eye. Thieves can’t just undo whatever it is, remove items and then close it up again so no one notices. Common on old luggage.
 

[murdo]

Many years ago I found some old boots of my late grandfathers that had dried up like your toolboxes and an older bike friend said to fill them with cheap vegetable oil from the supermarket. I did this and after a month or so they had swelled and softened up nicely. I left them to drain and filled with absorbent kitchen paper. Left in the summer sun they dried enough to polish with boot polish, and after all that they were too small for me to wear and I gave then to a cousin. 

[cardan]

I have an ancient bottle of Neatsfoot Oil that is designed for the purpose - after murdo's comments I checked to see what is was made from. Very far from vegetable oil! Don't look up where it comes from before you use it.

It certainly conditions the leather but makes it hard to polish afterwards, so use in moderation.

Leon

[33d6]

Also a long time ago I had a paper from the British Museum on leather restoration and conservation. I was surprised at how firmly they were against neatsfoot oil, saddle soap and various other common leather applications. Then again, one of the leather examples they were using was a Roman sandal retrieved from the Thames so seriously old stuff in pretty ropey condition.
I would seek advice from a decent saddlers or leather merchant. Here in Melbourne for example I’d go straight to Leflers the leather merchants. They really know their stuff.

[R]

Thanks for the thoughts folks.
I am due to visit the local ye olde leather shop, so we might see what they say.

I do have a neatsfoot oil story.
Was in the garage, a good while back, and heard a strange repetitive noise.
Narrowed it down to a giant cricket chomping on an old seat's leather - which have been treated with that stuff
Chewed a fair hole in it - although it wasn't exactly pristine to begin with.
Hmmm !

[cardan]

"Crickets are omnivores... a natural cricket diet consists of plants and meat and includes protein, grains, and produce."

Leather + neatsfoot oil. Yum.

Leon

[R]

Heh heh.
That makes me feel better - not !