I've been collecting russian rangefinders for a while now and have found a good way to remove odors from the cameras (obviously works on any camera not just russian).
The product is called Zeolite and can be found in a pet supply store. It's used to deodorize litter boxes. Make SURE you get the mineral Zeolite stuff and not the usual deodorizors.
I place about a 1/2 cup of the Zeolite into the bottom of a shoebox with some small air holes cut into the sides, place the opened camera CAREFULLY onto the Zeolite and place the box on an open shelf for about a week.
The Zeolite absorbs all of the odors without imparting it's own smell and the camera comes stink-free. Just don't drop or shake the box of you'll be cleaning the camera for a month.
Dave, thank you for this post. I started a restoration process on a Moskva 5 that some one gave away for free. It is very ugly and stinky but has good glass. About the ugly I stripped the leathertette and will replace it. The inside of the camera (probably the bellows) have a mold smell that slowed me down. I hope I will be able to finish my project following your advice. Cheers
