Gentlemen -- and yes, you know who you are -- I recently stumbled upon the hat brush or "gamsbart" my father set great store by 40 or more years ago. It's nothing fancy, but it is a bit tired. I would like to know if there is a way to clean, protect and enhance the fibers, as I should very much like to wear it on my custom-made Baden Powell campaign hat in memory of my father -- and good old B-P.

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Try baby oil.

George

Wirklich ... er, really?

Depending what the bristles are made of.

If it were mine I would give it a very gentle washing then. A very light oiling with some natural type oil.

I would suggest some online research to find a museum with similar items or materials. Then contact them and ask to speak to their conservator and get his recommendations.

Fellas, after considering George's advice and finding out that many artists treat their paint brushes with baby oil, I gave it a try then washed with Dawn dish detergent and dried the gamsbart in the sun. It's not like new, but definitely healthier than it was.