Gun oil-1863?

[38snapcaps]

I was looking at pictures of Civil War rifles and revolvers and the thought came to mind-did people lubricate firearms in those days. If so, what did they use? There wasn't any kind of gun oil available then was there?

 

[Firehand]

I've read that sperm oil(from whales) was often used. I know there were greases available, don't know the specifics.

 

[buttrap]

Back then the quaity stuff was sperm oil, its actualy better than most of the oils they sell now for gun actions. Axle gease was used a lot and if that was not handy most any grease off a dinner plate would do. one of the more popular lubes in the late 1800s was Vasaline as it was originaly designed as a gun lube and rust preventor, the navy pretty much used the stuff on everything. Bag Balms and liniments where also used a lot too.

 

[1911 guy]

Whale oil.

Whale oil is right on the money. Revolvers saw mostly grease, as it served for lube and over-ball chamber sealant to prevent crossfires. It's also true that whale oil was a better lube than most of the stuff we use today. As a matter of fact, the U.S. Navy still uses whale oil for moving parts on navigational equipment. To avoid legal complications, the Navy purchased huge amounts of it before the ban went into effect.

 

[Chawbaccer]

Bear grease was also one of the top lubricants of the day.

 

[mrmeval]

Choji is mineral oil with a bit of clove. It keeps samurai swords looking good.
Don't know if it was ever used for western guns.


Where would I even look for information on that?

 

[robert garner]

Don't know when it was started but the Brits used sweet oil(olive) on their martial arms
robert

 

[SeanSw]

When did the Brits use olive oil? I would think that any vegetable derived oils would be a terrible choice for any type of protection or lubrication. They will all go rancid eventually and make a terrible mess of whatever you're trying to protect. I once purchased an Arisaka bayonet w/ metal scabbard at a flea market and thought any oil would protect it, so I gave it a healthy shot of vegetable oil and forgot about it. The next time I tried to remove the bayonet it was covered in black sticky grime, and tarnished the blade worse than had it been left alone.

I wonder when mineral oil came into widescale availability. A straight cut mineral oil is great for protection and may work well as lubrication. Forget the fragranced versions. Choji oil is a good way to charge you extra for a few drops of clove oil, and baby oil just doedn't mix with the smell of metal and gunpowder.

 

[tegemu]

They did lots of things differently then. For example, for chapped lips they used horse dung. Didn't heal anything but it sure kept them from licking their lips.

 

[mrmeval]

Choji has been used for a long time, centuries. The clove is not needed unless you want to keep someone from cooking with the oil.

 

[Diomed]

The Brits were using Rangoon oil during their Martini-Henry period, probably earlier, which would cover the Civil War. I have a couple bottles, haven't tried it out though.

 

[mrmeval]

Rangoon oil $12.00 scroll down or 'find' rangoon.

http://www.woodcockhill.com/Toys.htm

Or Holland and Holland 13.99
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rangoon-Oil-by-...itemZ7209974580QQcategoryZ22700QQcmdZViewItem

 

[SMLE]

FWIW, I've ordered from this vendor. http://www.woodcockhill.com/Toys.htm

They ship promptly and are very reliable.