how can i bring these horn scales back to life?

I would like to get these cleaned up and looking nice (minus the bug bites can do nothing about)

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Do you plan to unpin them?

I'm considering it. Most likely I will.

After you have unpinned them, knock off as much dirt and grime as possible with a rag. Find a Tupperware container that will hold them laying flat. Drop em in and cover them with neatsfoot oil. Put the cover on and let em soak for a couple of days.

After soaking, dry them off really well. Light sanding follows. I start at 500 grit and work up to 1k then 2k. All your doing is smoothing out scratches/removing a thin layer, so that the surface looks new again. I then buff the surface with white polishing compound and wipe that off with a clean rag. Last step for me is turtle wax. I'll see if I can find a sticky on restoring straights and post the link.

Here you go!
http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=188442

I'm assuming mineral oil would work as well or no?

No on mineral oil. Neatsfoot oil is derived from cattle bones. You can find it at Wal-Mart, some hardware stores, and leather craft stores (Tandy). It replenishes the horn and keeps it from splitting or separating.

You can repair the bug bites easily enough. I posted a thread - here - and a video here showing how.

Awesome, Thanks! I love these big Greaves. I like that this one has a thumb notch that my other does not.

A little thread you might like!
http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=375861