Obsolete parts, etc

[RedFeather]

I'm getting into some old and obscure guns, parts of which are likely to unavailable.  If a gun has a synthetic seal and replacements are not available, can one be fabricated?  Do you find an existing seal that is over-sized and turn it down?  Or can you replace it with an old-school leather seal.  It's quite often that owners of old guns have to make their own leather seals.   (Please - no steering away from the idea.  This is just a what-if.)  Since a leather seal does not fit as tightly, would it tend to generate more piston slam or would the leather buffer it enough?

Again, not asking if this would be the best way, etc.  Just feasible.

[shootist]

Hi Red, did a Crosman 112 a few weeks ago. major pain with a leather seal. It's together and works well. But I'd think long and hard before I'd do another leather seal. I would take a slightly over-sized synthetic and take it down to fit. It may not be as pure, but after putting in a leather seal, I see why they are not as good. Just my opinion. Lee

[fxud]

Maybe this will help.

http://charliedatuna.com/airgun_docs/Seal%20Fabrication.doc

[RedFeather]

Not gainsaying Charlie as I have no experience with synthetic seals, but isn't a teflon rod a good bit harder?  How does it hold up to the heat generated by the compressed air?  Anyway, difficult or not, could a leather seal replace a synthetic?