Significance Of Cosmoline...?

Pete Ebbink · 01-20-2003, 03:46 PM

Just wondering about the significance of cosmoline and its implied claim to a pistol's authenticity ?

I have seen a few lugers advertised as still being packed full with cosmoline. And awhile back, a fellow e-mailed me, excitedly, when his new luger came home and it was found to be full of cosmoline (assupmtion here, I think, was that it was believed to be factory-original cosmoline...).

Here are my questions :

O. What the heck is cosmoline made of ?

1. What value does the presence of cosmoline demonstrate ? That is, does the presence of factory-original cosmoline add to a collection grade pistol ?

2. Can you tell "old" cosmoline from "new" cosmoline ? (i.e. given that fact than Brownell's advertizes the stuff for sale...).

3. Do you folks recommend the use of cosmoline as a modern-day method of laying-up a luger for a long period of storage?

4. What are the risks of leaving cosmoline in a luger for a very long time ? If any...?

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Edward Tinker · 01-20-2003, 07:56 PM

Pete Old man, I can make a comment about #2. When i went to Europe for 3 years (which turned in to 7), I put thick gun oil on my guns, it kept them in good shape. It is very dry in Washington State where I left the guns, but still, they didn't look any different. I bring this up, because after 7 years, the thick oil, which was almost a paste appeared to be almost cosmoline and I think many times collectors get excited about arsenal cosmoline and it is really just old oil. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

Roadkill · 01-20-2003, 09:28 PM

This is what it is:
A combination of grease, shellac and beeswax with copper sulfate added as a corrosion inhibitor. It is initially heated and thinned with alcohol during the mixing state, then is allowed to cool and set up."

Petrolatum, Petrolatum, (commonly called Vaseline, Cosmoline, Petroleum Ointment, etc.),Ã¢??is a mixture of hydrocarbons, chiefly of the marsh-gas series, obtained from petroleum by distilling off the lighter portions and purifying the residue. It is insoluble in water, soluble in boiling alcohol, ether, chloroform, oils, etc., and is official in three forms, viz.:Ã¢??

Petrolatum Liquidum, Liquid Petrolatum.
Petrolatum Molle, Soft Petrolatum,Ã¢??melts at 104Ã?Â°-113Ã?Â° F.
Petrolatum Spissum, Hard Petrolatum,Ã¢??melts at 113Ã?Â°-125Ã?Â° F.

The presence of cosmoline is only an indication of long term storage. An unissued military gun dipped in cosmoline would be the same upon removal of the stuff, same as a well used firearm.
Its presence is no indicator of collectibility, only preservation.

Old cosmoline will be very hard and caked on, sort of a redish black color. Fresh cosmoline will be lighter and more of a grease like consistency, considering when used its in a liquid form into which the entire firearm is dipped. Cosmoline is for long term storage, years and years. Since its a petroleum distillate it is not the best for plastic. It won't hurt a rifle stock but would be rough on something thin like Luger grips. Other than getting it off there doesn't seem to be a down side.

Here's a link to what I thought was excellent advice on "long term" storage.

http://www.logicsouth.com/~lcoble/stuff/gunstor.txt

rk

Pete Ebbink · 01-20-2003, 09:34 PM

Thanks RK !!!

Just what I was trying to learn...

Regards,

Pete...

01-20-2003, 03:46 PM	#1
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Significance Of Cosmoline...? Just wondering about the significance of cosmoline and its implied claim to a pistol's authenticity ? I have seen a few lugers advertised as still being packed full with cosmoline. And awhile back, a fellow e-mailed me, excitedly, when his new luger came home and it was found to be full of cosmoline (assupmtion here, I think, was that it was believed to be factory-original cosmoline...). Here are my questions : O. What the heck is cosmoline made of ? 1. What value does the presence of cosmoline demonstrate ? That is, does the presence of factory-original cosmoline add to a collection grade pistol ? 2. Can you tell "old" cosmoline from "new" cosmoline ? (i.e. given that fact than Brownell's advertizes the stuff for sale...). 3. Do you folks recommend the use of cosmoline as a modern-day method of laying-up a luger for a long period of storage? 4. What are the risks of leaving cosmoline in a luger for a very long time ? If any...? Regards, Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

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01-20-2003, 07:56 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,959 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,589 Times in 2,114 Posts	Pete Old man, I can make a comment about #2. When i went to Europe for 3 years (which turned in to 7), I put thick gun oil on my guns, it kept them in good shape. It is very dry in Washington State where I left the guns, but still, they didn't look any different. I bring this up, because after 7 years, the thick oil, which was almost a paste appeared to be almost cosmoline and I think many times collectors get excited about arsenal cosmoline and it is really just old oil. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

01-20-2003, 09:28 PM	#3
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,634 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	This is what it is: A combination of grease, shellac and beeswax with copper sulfate added as a corrosion inhibitor. It is initially heated and thinned with alcohol during the mixing state, then is allowed to cool and set up." Petrolatum, Petrolatum, (commonly called Vaseline, Cosmoline, Petroleum Ointment, etc.),Ã¢??is a mixture of hydrocarbons, chiefly of the marsh-gas series, obtained from petroleum by distilling off the lighter portions and purifying the residue. It is insoluble in water, soluble in boiling alcohol, ether, chloroform, oils, etc., and is official in three forms, viz.:Ã¢?? Petrolatum Liquidum, Liquid Petrolatum. Petrolatum Molle, Soft Petrolatum,Ã¢??melts at 104Ã?Â°-113Ã?Â° F. Petrolatum Spissum, Hard Petrolatum,Ã¢??melts at 113Ã?Â°-125Ã?Â° F. The presence of cosmoline is only an indication of long term storage. An unissued military gun dipped in cosmoline would be the same upon removal of the stuff, same as a well used firearm. Its presence is no indicator of collectibility, only preservation. Old cosmoline will be very hard and caked on, sort of a redish black color. Fresh cosmoline will be lighter and more of a grease like consistency, considering when used its in a liquid form into which the entire firearm is dipped. Cosmoline is for long term storage, years and years. Since its a petroleum distillate it is not the best for plastic. It won't hurt a rifle stock but would be rough on something thin like Luger grips. Other than getting it off there doesn't seem to be a down side. Here's a link to what I thought was excellent advice on "long term" storage. http://www.logicsouth.com/~lcoble/stuff/gunstor.txt rk

01-20-2003, 09:34 PM	#4
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Thanks RK !!! Just what I was trying to learn... Regards, Pete...