OP
OP
Gatofeo
Member
I've experimentally substituted other ingredients in my Gatofeo No. 1 lubricant, but never found them nearly as good as the original:
Mutton tallow
Beeswax
Canning paraffin
I find references going back to the 1850s, of the British Army specifying mutton tallow to lubricate the bullets used in paper cartridges. I tend to think that Ol' Tommy knew what was good and stuck with it.
If beef or pork tallow were as good, I believe it would have been specified as well.
Of course, the Brtis may have specified mutton tallow to avoid religious problems with their Hindu or Muslim foreign troops, whose religion forbids them from eating cow or pigs. Biting off the end of the paper cartridge, to expose the gunpowder, would have constituted "eating" in their eyes.
One need only read about the Indian Uprising of 1857 and 1858 to delve into this subject. Fascinating reading, by the way.
Anyway, I've substituted deer, beef, pig and even turkey tallow for the mutton tallow, in small experimental batches. These result in inferior products.
I use canning paraffin, instead of old candles, because it's pure. Who knows what lurks in old candles, particularly those that are scented or colored. Canning paraffin is pure, slightly traslucent and unscented.
Beeswax is beeswax, as long as it's the real stuff. Much of what is sold as beeswax today is actually synthetic. It's not nearly as good as the real deal and results in a poorer lubricant.
Time was, the wax seals placed around the toilet base were made of beeswax. Not so anymore. From what I've observed in the past 10 years, they're all synthetic beeswax.
Look for real beeswax on the net, or at Renaissance Fairs, Mountain Man Rendezvous or big hobby shows. But ask if it's real; I've encountered "Beeswax" at these shows that is actually synthetic.
Mutton tallow is available from Dixie Gun Works. So is beeswax. Canning paraffin is found in most grocery stores in the housewares section, in one-pound blocks.
It may be a task to get the real ingredients, but it's well worth the effort.
Mutton tallow
Beeswax
Canning paraffin
I find references going back to the 1850s, of the British Army specifying mutton tallow to lubricate the bullets used in paper cartridges. I tend to think that Ol' Tommy knew what was good and stuck with it.
If beef or pork tallow were as good, I believe it would have been specified as well.
Of course, the Brtis may have specified mutton tallow to avoid religious problems with their Hindu or Muslim foreign troops, whose religion forbids them from eating cow or pigs. Biting off the end of the paper cartridge, to expose the gunpowder, would have constituted "eating" in their eyes.
One need only read about the Indian Uprising of 1857 and 1858 to delve into this subject. Fascinating reading, by the way.
Anyway, I've substituted deer, beef, pig and even turkey tallow for the mutton tallow, in small experimental batches. These result in inferior products.
I use canning paraffin, instead of old candles, because it's pure. Who knows what lurks in old candles, particularly those that are scented or colored. Canning paraffin is pure, slightly traslucent and unscented.
Beeswax is beeswax, as long as it's the real stuff. Much of what is sold as beeswax today is actually synthetic. It's not nearly as good as the real deal and results in a poorer lubricant.
Time was, the wax seals placed around the toilet base were made of beeswax. Not so anymore. From what I've observed in the past 10 years, they're all synthetic beeswax.
Look for real beeswax on the net, or at Renaissance Fairs, Mountain Man Rendezvous or big hobby shows. But ask if it's real; I've encountered "Beeswax" at these shows that is actually synthetic.
Mutton tallow is available from Dixie Gun Works. So is beeswax. Canning paraffin is found in most grocery stores in the housewares section, in one-pound blocks.
It may be a task to get the real ingredients, but it's well worth the effort.
