Old snowshoe help please

[Loki610]

I have an old pair of snowshoes that I'd like to clean up for display since they wont work with my size 14 feet! The rawhide straps are old and brittle and show some mold. Whats the best way to clean them and preserve them?

[savage7mm]

i would say a damp cloth and then preserve with saddle soap or mink oil(shoe polish type stuff) my dad puts it on his leather boots and other leather things.

[Findal]

If by rawhide straps you are meaning the actual webbing of the snowshoe then I would wash then off with some vinegar and water and brush them to be sure to get that mold off.
Once dry, a coat or two of varnish will restore the webbing.
If it is for display you could also just go with a good paste waxing instead of the varnish.

If you were talking about the harness that you boot goes into, then a good boot leather care product should be fine; like Dubbin or mink oil.

[Loki610]

Both need to be cleaned but the webbing is the worst off, I thought of varnish but thought I should double check before I did it