Help restoring a rucksack

[jscheide]

I recently acquired a late 30s Luftwaffe rucksack in fairly good condition...but it could use some work. I don't really know what that work will be, but I figure someone out there can help me.

I've aired it out awhile and that helped get rid of some of the musty smell (although I don't think I want that to go away completely ).

There are a few small holes in the fabric - they go all the way through:

How can those be fixed/patched?

This is one of the lower buckles that seems pretty much intact:

Which seems to be completely different than the other buckle (which at the moment does not fasten together with any reliability):

Finally, the leather is getting old. It's not in terrible condition but could use some work - what can I do to restore it as much as possible?

Thanks for any suggestions! I'd like to get it to the point where I can use it on a daily basis - though I don't know if that's possible.

 

[murena]

hello,

are there any markings inside or at the back of the rucksack, or at the leather slings? can i ask you how much you paid for it?
first of all take a brush and clean the bag, to get off the old dirt. next, buy some dubbin for the leather and rub until it´s completely absorbed. that´s very important to keep them alive.
i would stitch the little holes with the mashine, but you must make a "ZICK-ZACK" seam. in the army (german and austrian army) was and is common to close such holes. it´s important to take threads of cotton, and not polyester!!!
i hope i could help you a little.

best wishes,

murena

 

[Atterbury Dodd]

A note: if you put something on the leather, be careful you don't smear it on the canvas! I went through that problem with a canvas WWII USAAF bag.