Preservation and/or restoration of leather helmet chin strap and leather helmet liner

[dastier]

I have a question about the proper method to preserve or restore the helmet liner, especially the 'pillows', and chin strap of a German WW1 M16 helmet (chin strap has fragmented) and a pre or WW2 Finnish Austrian M17 helmet liner and leather Finnish chin strap.

Thanks

[Danmark]

Sadly, leather once it has dried out and cracked it is unrepairable. With the natural oils gone, it dries & cracks. Like dry rubber, some people use leather treatments or oil but this just glosses the surface and can make matter worse and promote fungal growth as well. Most here will say " leave it alone & don't touch it "

Dan

[Wagriff]

As said, leather "once it dries-it dies". If you can preserve it while it's pliable and good-then you have a chance.