Can A Tanned Cape Go Bad?

Sorry, you wasted a 180 bucks. I have mounted skins that had been tanned up to 15 years prior with no issues. The latest was a bear that was tanned 12 years ago. It sounds like you have, from what I understand is called acid rot.

 

If I sold a cape that did that a refund would be in order!
I hope the seller sees this thread and makes it right

 

I had a tanned cape go bad. It was a full deer hide that I had professionally tanned 20-some years ago. It hung in my home for a long time with no problems, but when I moved a couple years ago I hung it up in my cabin and within two years it was rotten. I think it was the salt content in the hide along with the high humidity at times in my cabin that did it in. Incidentally, I have a shoulder mount in my cabin that I tanned well over 20 years ago and it is just fine even after decades in that environment. It really all depends on the tanning process. In any case, if you bought that cape from someone, then they should at the very least refund your money. If not, then please post their name on here to warn everyone else.

 

Acid rot. Most tanneries if not all have a shelf life in the dry state, need to be soaked up within a year and frozen.

 

If that is true, then what about after they are mounted? Wouldn't they rot then too?

 

Sure, it is possible but the glue holds it in place and holds it together.

 

I suppose your right. I've torn apart lots of old, tanned mounts that I could rip the hide off in chunks without too much effort. Sure can't rip a fresh tanned cape like that.

 

Its when you hydrate the old tan is when you will find if the leather is stable or not, left in a dry state they can last indefinitely if temps are stable in the environment their kept in.

 

I don’t know what they used back in the 60s but I had some hides tanned back then. 40 years latter I could grab and stretch them like they fresh from the tannery.

 

couple good points made here so far. The type of tan used will affect how much acid rot you are going to get. With any "mystery tan", cut a sample piece off the back and rehydrate it to see if the whole thing will work. Sorta tough with a lifesize I know. You might have to add some alum to your salt and water rehyd bath. That's an old timer trick. Don't expect it to mount up like a fresh hi qual tan. It will be a pain in the a$$ typically. It will pay in the long run to spend some money or buy from a reputable source with a guarantee. You also need to realistic about your capabilities. Good Luck

 

I had a bear rug that was professionally tanned that totally fell apart after 30 years.

 

Acid Riot can ruin everything!!

A couple years so I had a life size Lord derby eland go completely bad we had to patch it together and use other parts of animals but what a mess it took a couple years off of my life

 

I keep all tanned capes in the freezer.