Restoring a 1962 Yashika-Mat Leather Case

This is the story of my father’s Yashica-mat 124g.
Bought on Friday 28th September 1962 from the Navy, Army and Airforce Institutes Shop (NAAFI) on RAF Gan, Addu Atoll in the southern-most part of the Maldives, 200 miles north of the present day US Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia.
It cost him £14.4s.8d at a time when he was earning £7 a week (and he was charged another £12.2s.10d duty when he returned to the UK at the end of his posting), so in reality cost him almost a full month’s wages.
The camera is in mint condition.
The case less so and in need of some TLC.
The original strap is missing.
This is a short video of me bringing life back to one of Dad’s prized possessions.

[@davidspidell4270]

Old school craftsmanship. Learned a lot just watching. I'm interested in repairing old camera cases. So many need restiching it seems a good skill to learn.

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thank you for the kind words. Stay tuned. Have a stitching tutorial on the cards before Christmas and an old AVO multimeter case I want to repair too... :)

[@DaAznSuperman]

I’m bummed that they don’t make any more leather cases for the mat 124g. Glad to see you repairing a classic.

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thanks. Repairing old items is as satisfying for me as making something new. 😀

[@ReidMagney]

I have a 124G with a case that needs repairing, especially the needlework on the seams. I enjoyed this video but am hoping to find a tutorial for needlework on the case.

[@stevepringle2295]

Beautiful work and tribute to your dad ❤

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thank you 😀

[@SynthsStories]

Great video, thanks (it's an early Yashica-Mat model from 1957 you show on the video by the way, not a Yashica Mat "124G", last model of the serie from 1971 to 1981😉)

[@TraditionalTimes]

Hey... thanks for letting me know.
. I know nothing about cameras, especially this type and age. Will update the description when I get back from my honeymoon!!! 😁😁😁

[@SynthsStories]

@@TraditionalTimes congrats 🎉

[@tgchism]

Great craftsmanship and Dad looked pleased! I have a newer black case for my Yashica Mat 124G It looks nice and I would like to keep it that way. What would you suggest to treat the leather to maintain it?

[@TraditionalTimes]

First rule of thumb (always) is never put anything on leather you wouldn't put on your own skin (shoe polish being the exception on shoe leather). For something like your camera case, something like a beeswax leather polish, or a leather balsam (which is like a white creamy paste) is all you will need. Just take a lint free cloth, apply is small quantities and rub in in a circular motion. Should need to do more than that every 6 months or so, but really it's down to usage. If the leather doesn't feel supple and looks a little dry give it another go. Think I might do a tool tip on this very subject. Hope that helps. 🙂

[@tgchism]

Thank you Sir for the insights!@@TraditionalTimes

[@tgchism]

Thank you! I'll be getting some to apply to the case and others I have.@@TraditionalTimes