18th century "Russia" leather

[Artificer]

Maybe, just MAYBE we can at last learn the formula they used for the ultimate leather of the 18th century.

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/28/nyregion/a-200-year-old-gift-from-under-the-sea.html?pagewanted=all

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Well, we gotta go get the Reindeer first eh???

[T.C.Albert]

Was it always reindeer? I thought any thin skinned hide (calf, goat, etc..) worked up similarly...and that the stoning, birch oil and resin smell, and red finish characterized the leather as much as the hide type?
Im seriously asking in the hopes of getting a definitive answer, as I really dont know for sure...
TCA

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

I have no idea but this article says that the leather in the ship that was found was reindeer.

[Artificer]

Was it always reindeer? I thought any thin skinned hide (calf, goat, etc..) worked up similarly...and that the stoning, birch oil and resin smell, and red finish characterized the leather as much as the hide type?
Im seriously asking in the hopes of getting a definitive answer, as I really dont know for sure...
TCA

Though I can't link to it, I have read other leather was tanned by this process up to and including calf/cow.  Reindeer hide was the most likely leather used because it was available in quantity for export and was a good weight and "body" of leather for so many things, though.   
Gus

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Reindeer hide is very similar to cariboo, which is very similar to moose, ....to elk,,,etc.  I think any skin from an animal of comparable size would work the same way.