Can worn Tefillin still be used?

Someone recently posted a photo on FB of totally worn Tefillin. She was not sure what they were or what to do with them.

Here is part of my husband's response. If anyone else is not sure what to do with Tefillin that is so worn that they are brown instead of black, my husband provides the answer:

"Tefillin must be completely black and whole, not crumbling.

The boxes should be completely black. They must be completely square. You'll see the boxes are brown, worn and bent.

The boxes and straps are clearly not kosher. They would have to be replaced.

I know nothing about the contents of the Tefillin from this angle (obviously!) But it's probably a good guess, that based upon the worn boxes that the parchments inside are not in good shape either (as mentioned in my previous post about the possibility of letters "popping" off the parchment, water having got inside, the sun having scorched them - or any other thing.

I cannot see inside. The parchments could indeed be kosher. The boxes and straps - are completely Passul (not kosher). There is no way to see the parchments until a qualified certified Sofer (who is qualified to check, not only to write) will open them up, remove them, and then take a look.

I am a qualified Sofer. If it interests you to know about the world of Sofrut, take a look at a video I produced of my Sofer teacher, who was the last Soviet Sofer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=661UPHL-7hQ

It will give a great idea of what a Sofer is, the work he is involved in and just how much is involved. You may even enjoy the video too :-)

Tefillin - definitely not Kosher. May not be worn. No blessing may be said on them. Take them to a responsible observant Jew and have them buried. Other links mentioned above all worthwhile to learn more about them.