[WhoKnowsWho]

Not sure where to ask, but since my Mosin Nagant had it...

What the heck is it made of? History?

[resmeth]

The best I could find is this link.

http://www.jouster.com/cgi-bin/trapdoor/trapdoor.pl?read=916

It is a general protectant/grease that protect metal from the air during storage. It is still used today in numerous industries.

[Mike Irwin]

I think Cosmoline is or was a trademarked name for a specific product, but is one of those things that has passed into the common vernacular.

OK, Merriam-Webster, the dictionary site, has an entry for Cosmoline, but they're smoking crack!

They said it's a trade mark, but for "petroleum jelly"!

Well, I guess it is a petroleum product, and it does have a consistency like a jelly, but it's not petroleum jelly!

[Kentucky Rifle]

..on a brand new pair of tan Chinos last week. I hurried home and put them in the washer. When I took them out, the Cosmoline stain was STILL there. Got the Ol' "raised eyebrow" look from my wife.

KR

[Mike Irwin]

Believe it or not, one of the BEST things for removing cosmoline stains, or grease stains of any kind, from clothing is Dawn dish detergent.

Simply wet the clothing around the stain, put some Dawn on, and work it well with your fingers and then let it to soak for a bit.

I've removed all kinds of nasty oil stains from jeans and shirts, from motor oil to cosmoline, using Dawn.

[cracked butt]

I bought a vise for my workbench awhile back, it was covered with sticky grease- I gave it a sniff check- Yep cosmoline. You can buy the stuff from industrial supply companies like McMaster-Carr or Grainger.

[JohnBT]

Mike - Dawn will also clean a kitten who jumps in the bucket of used motor oil. Jumped in head first, too.

John

[Cosmoline]

I cannot be stopped! I cannot be removed! I will absorb your heat rays and chemical attacks and grow stronger! Just when you think you have defeated me, I will ooze out of your rifle and make your off hand sticky. Fear me! :evil:

[Joe Demko]

Yep, it is petroleum jelly. Just not as "refined" as the stuff you use on a baby's butt.