Gun storage: When I was a kid, my grandfather would store his pistols in what he called an “ oil cloth”. It was a stiff cloth, almost like paper. After unwrapping, there was a film of...

Johnny70 Loc: Texas

When I was a kid, my grandfather would store his pistols in what he called an “ oil cloth”. It was a stiff cloth, almost like paper. After unwrapping, there was a film of oil on my hands that left his pistols in pristine condition. Decades have gone by and I was wondering if anyone has any idea what that was? I cannot replicate with today’s products. I’m hoping someone can help me out,

ripogenu Loc: norfolk, MA

Johnny70 wrote:

When I was a kid, my grandfather would store his pistols in what he called an “ oil cloth”. It was a stiff cloth, almost like paper. After unwrapping, there was a film of oil on my hands that left his pistols in pristine condition. Decades have gone by and I was wondering if anyone has any idea what that was? I cannot replicate with today’s products. I’m hoping someone can help me out,

oil cloth was traditionally made from a thin canvas material that had been soaked in boiled linseed oil. I know you can get the linseed oil at most paint stores. Scrounge around an army /navy store and you might be able to find some thin canvas. good luck.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Johnny70 wrote:

When I was a kid, my grandfather would store his pistols in what he called an “ oil cloth”. It was a stiff cloth, almost like paper. After unwrapping, there was a film of oil on my hands that left his pistols in pristine condition. Decades have gone by and I was wondering if anyone has any idea what that was? I cannot replicate with today’s products. I’m hoping someone can help me out,

Johnny I just use a new silicone cloth on mine. Guess they still make them 👍

Johnny70 Loc: Texas

Boiled linseed oil. That was it. Thanks! I’m sure I’ll run across some old canvass.

Best fishing ever Loc: So California

Johnny70 wrote:

When I was a kid, my grandfather would store his pistols in what he called an “ oil cloth”. It was a stiff cloth, almost like paper. After unwrapping, there was a film of oil on my hands that left his pistols in pristine condition. Decades have gone by and I was wondering if anyone has any idea what that was? I cannot replicate with today’s products. I’m hoping someone can help me out,

Cosmoline is what the military uses and very likely what your grandfather used.

ripogenu Loc: norfolk, MA

Best fishing ever wrote:

Cosmoline is what the military uses and very likely what your grandfather used.

Cosmoline was used for packing and long term storage, and a real pain in the ass to clean off. I doubt anyone would use it to protect their weapons if they were going to use them.

Harris T. Fudpucker Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

Best fishing ever wrote:

Cosmoline is what the military uses and very likely what your grandfather used.

Cosmoline is what the mfg. put on the firearms before packaging. I use Tetra. Developed by NASA stays on, and you really don't have to remove it.

Johnny70 Loc: Texas

Ya,, I’m pretty sure it was not Cosmoline. Boiled linseed oil is my guess. Thanks for the input.

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

I wipe my guns down with RIG grease. I've been astonished at how well it prevents rust!

Justoldjim Loc: JUNCTION CITY, OR.

Johnny70 wrote:

When I was a kid, my grandfather would store his pistols in what he called an “ oil cloth”. It was a stiff cloth, almost like paper. After unwrapping, there was a film of oil on my hands that left his pistols in pristine condition. Decades have gone by and I was wondering if anyone has any idea what that was? I cannot replicate with today’s products. I’m hoping someone can help me out,

my grandma always called the table cloth oil cloth it was like canvas with plastic coating

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Johnny70 wrote:

When I was a kid, my grandfather would store his pistols in what he called an “ oil cloth”. It was a stiff cloth, almost like paper. After unwrapping, there was a film of oil on my hands that left his pistols in pristine condition. Decades have gone by and I was wondering if anyone has any idea what that was? I cannot replicate with today’s products. I’m hoping someone can help me out,

My Grampa did the same thing. The cloth was light a light canvas of some kind and he rendered the grease from Lambs wool for his stuff. Just heated up the lambs wool till the lanolin started to drip from it. It don’t take very much to soak a cloth and that last for ever. After he extracted to lanolin from the wool he’d heat it on the stove and draw off the really clear, clean stuff and he used it to preserve lots of things. His boots, rifle scabbards, harness for the work horses, tons of stuff. Anything he didn’t want to rot, rust or crack.

Dakoda Loc: Cle Elum, WA

Good info, thanks