How Closely Should Sandwich Case Match Saddle Color

[RUDoinGoodRUGoodDoin]

I was very fortunate to find a beautiful vintage sandwich case as a gift for a good friend’s birthday. Friend’s hunting saddle is a darker brown (close to Havana) and the sandwich case is several shades lighter, maybe not as red as Newmarket Tan, but close. Should I gently darken the case to more closely match the saddle so that it would not stand out as much? I definitely don’t want to match the color of the saddle, because for all I know, friend may get a newer saddle down the road that is lighter than the current one in use.

I guess I’m loathe to start messing with the sandwich case (which has a lovely patina from years of use) before I get some input from the experts regarding whether I should attempt to darken it, and what the best product to use would be. The tin is a pretty snug fit, I’m thinking because the case was probably exposed to rain and wet in its prior life, so I was planning to condition it anyway before gifting.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[tinah]

I’d just oil it and let it do its thing. It might change color significantly with some conditioning. I wouldn’t recommend dying it.

[PrincessPonies]

Since it’s a gift for a friend I’d leave it. Everyone has their own opinions and your friend might like the color. I personally never worry about color unless I’m going into the show ring and even then it’s only enough so that it doesn’t stand out. Let them decide if it’s as red as you say I’m picturing a really pretty color that they may like having stand out.

[gottagrey]

Good sandwich cases can be quite costly. Its a lovely gift and I’m sure she’ll greatly appreciate it.

[BeeHoney]

Leather color on a sandwich case is a non-issue, don’t mess with the color. Sounds like a lovely gift!
Just a quick thought though…the gift is for a man, no? Ladies’ sandwich cases typically are slightly larger and have a flask (or a place for a flask), which you didn’t mention. Mens’ sandwich cases are smaller and are for a sandwich only, as men typically carry a separate flask.

[RUDoinGoodRUGoodDoin]

Thanks so much to all for the great advice! I will give it a light coat of oil just for conditioning and to make sure all buckles are working smoothly.

It is for a male; he has a flask which he carries in his coat pocket:) Thanks again!