RESTORING/PRESERVING JAPANESE CANTEEN PARTS

[bldrhouse]

I'VE just acquired a Japanese canteen, and need some help with the leather stopper strap and the cork itself.

 

While the leather is still a bit pliable -- I was able to carefully undo it from the buckles on either side -- I want to make sure it doesn't dry / harden any more in my dry Colorado climate.

The buckles themselves are rusty and I'd like to clean them up or at least stop the rust from advancing.

 

Same for cork: dried out but not flaking apart.

 

Suggestions appreciated.