A do-all liquid

[DonP]

Don, I remember that oil when I linked up with an Aussie unit in Vietnam. Several guys had Rangoon oil and they swore it was good in the jungle fighting rust. Said the British army used it in India long ago. Also a couple had some stuff called Young's 303. As I recall it emulsifies with water and stayed put on the metal pretty good.
Wow! Ya brought back some old memories there Don!

Yup, it was developed by the British army back 150 years or so ago. I guess it is similar to the German oil - it just refuses to evaporate and keeps away the rust for ages. I know the Young's 303 stuff. It is strictly for cleaning - as you say, it emulsifies, so no good for keeping rust away. But these things were developed when powder residue was highly acidic and would wreck a bore overnight. I don't think that is any longer the case.

 

[Walks Backward]

Yes sir, we've still a mass of corrosive primed surplus ammo sold worldwide. Most with fulminate of mercury and such. And it's handy as well for good old black powder fouling too.

And as I recall those lads I was lent to got a laugh that I had my father supply the scope, rings, and base for the bolt action rifle I was using for my distance work. Said it would be a great one to shoot kangaroos. And I in turn thought that was hilarious as I've never seen one except in books until my first out of country R&R when I went to Australia. Had a wonderful time running all over the place when "down under"! So many Sheilas about too! Yup...Oh! Oil, right! Me mind wandered a bit...