If it is 350 years old, would you not simply nourish the leather, crumple paper inside to keep the shape (standard procedure) and keep them in a glass protective case? Adding filler and spurs, really?
Mick. These are not someone’s old school shoes that got wet in the rain a couple of times. Have you ever handled riding leathers? I’m going to guess, no. Even 50 yr old leather that has gotten wet ONCE in its history will become as fragile as a stale slice of bread and crack/split at the slightest flexion. You seem to think leather stays supple all its life! It is ORGANIC SKIN. Slapping some crème on grandma’s legs can’t make her Greta Garbo, my friend….Thanks to Martin’s artistry and knowledge he virtually healed skin that is 350 yrs old and grafted young skin to the ancient pieces which had to tolerate bend pressure. The spurs were a stroke of GENIUS because they draw attention to the existence of the Spur straps! Rare treat MARTIN!
