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The only reference I have come across (OK, with minimal search time on the net) is "Wagner's Oak Tanned Pony Shell" strop. There are lots of vegetable tanning methods, of which oak bark tanning is just one. Used on its own, oak tanning is pretty colourless, giving light yellow leathers which are soft, very resistant and have a fine, closed grain. No doubt re-tanning is sought to, particularly in the case of shell cordovan, so the colour and surface of the leather can be dyed and modified. Oak tanning, BTW, produces a very strong leather - stronger than all the other vegetable tanning agents.
I guess we all know where shells come from - the butt of a horse or pony. Briefly is is a subcutaneous, strong, muscular membrane that has to be 'lifted' from the surrounding skin, flesh, and main muscles of the animals rump. It has been used for a lot of things, lots of barbers strops, bags, boots, shoes, etc, and you find a lot of yellow/brown shoes made from it today. It is a premium leather.
Yours looks like it has been left in the damp by the looks of the rusted hardware and stained and mildewed leather. Probably the characteristics of the leather are nothing like they used to be.
Usually, there is a lot more info re the company and model and a logo at the cut end of the strop, but you show no pics of this end?
Regards,
Nei
Not sure if that is salvagable, it looks stiff. You can always use some saddle soap and try sanding it though if you think it is worth the effort.
You can probably find a good shell strop in usable condition for under $30 if you watch eBay.
