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Ballistol
- Thread starter Double Impact
- Start date
Para Cassatt
New member
I may be oldschool about some things but not Ballistol. The stinch is too bad for me to use it. My gunsmith practically bathes in it but I insist he keeps it away from any gun of mine. My thinking is that if it actually is that good for metal then it cannot be good for wood.
There are more than a few products that are good for wood and metal.
If smell is a huge factor (along with such things as being a fantastic lube and protectant and relatively nontoxic), give Weapons Shield a try. Smells cinamonny...I actually like the smell. It almost makes me start feeling hungry!
If smell is a huge factor (along with such things as being a fantastic lube and protectant and relatively nontoxic), give Weapons Shield a try. Smells cinamonny...I actually like the smell. It almost makes me start feeling hungry!
Ribcracker
New member
I received my first bottle of Ballistol in the "goodie" bag at a state silhouette match many years ago and I've been using it ever since. And quite frankly, I love the smell of Ballistol. It's my CLP of choice but I've been having difficulty finding it lately. Bass Pro Shops? Nope. Williams Gun Sight? Nope. Local Walmart? Uh,uh.
I guess I'll have to see if it's available online.
I guess I'll have to see if it's available online.
montelores
New member
"• BALLISTOL: INTRODUCTION
BALLISTOL has been around in Europe for over three generations. Originally invented for military use it became a household word in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Millions of users have experimented with BALLISTOL and found new surprising applications for it, some of which reach into the field of veterinary and even human medicine. In the United States the law prohibits a seller to advertise or recommend a product for use as a drug in human or veterinary medicine, unless the Food and Drug Administration have approved it for these uses. BALLISTOL has not been submitted for approval by the FDA as a drug. In Germany a modified formula of BALLISTOL, NEO-BALLISTOL, is admitted for use in veterinary and human medicine. NEO-BALLISTOL is not sold in the USA, Canada or Mexico.
WARNING: BALLISTOL MUST BE USED AS INDICATED IN THE CONSUMER INSTRUCTIONS ON THIS PAGE AND ON THE REVERSE PANEL OF ITS CONTAINER. DO NOT USE BALLISTOL AS A DRUG. BALLISTOL IS NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION."
"• BALLISTOL: ITS BIRTH
In 1874, Friedrich Wilhelm Klever, an attorney with interest in economy, founded the Klever Company” in Cologne, Germany. He began producing oils and greases from coal and eventually bought a coal mine so he would not run out of raw materials. At the turn of the century the imperial German Army (the Wehrmacht) began to look for an all-around oil. The idea was to maintain the metallic parts of the soldier’s rifle but also to protect the wooden stocks and his leather gear. The soldier was to use the same oil for the treatment of minor wounds, sores and scratches. Friedrich’s son, Dr. Helmut Klever, had become a professor of chemistry at the Technical University of Karlsruhe. He set out to develop what the Army wanted. In 1904 he succeeded to produce a special oil which he named BALLISTOL, from the word ballistic and the Latin word for oil, ‘oleum’. Thus the descriptive meaning of the word BALLISTOL is: ballistic oil. It soon became obvious that the new wonder Oil had truly amazing capabilities. The Army tested it and adopted it in 1905 and it stayed in use until 1945. But the word had spread and within a decade hunters, boaters, motorists, hikers, mountaineers and outdoorsmen in Germany, Austria and Switzerland convened to the new miracle oil."
"Most common gun oils, solvents, cleaners or corrosion inhibitors are not good for your gun's wooden stocks, Some attack the high gloss varnish, some will bleach the wood, some will wash the oil out of your oil stocks. Ballistol is good for wood and wooden stocks. It was designed to protect even untreated gun stocks against humidity, insects and fungus and to be compatible with all sorts of paints and varnishes, even those on antique guns. Ballistol can be used to re-treat oil stocks. It penetrates into the wood and inhibits the growth of fungus and mildew in the wood. Of course, you can also use Ballistol on modern and antique furniture or to protect external wooden structures against decay. Ballistol will also prevent insects from attacking wood.
CAUTION: It is sometimes uncertain which type of paint, lacquer or varnish was used on antique guns or furniture. Test Ballistol on a small spot first!
Teak oil does a good job on teak, but only if the wood is dry. If the teak has been exposed for years and the surface has turned grey, neither teak oil nor Ballistol will bring the original looks back. But Ballistol can be applied to the wet wood and it does have the capability to prevent fungus mildew from further deteriorating the wood. Inside a boat cabin, Ballistol maintains the wood everywhere. It makes it look great and prevents it from absorbing too much moisture and from developing mildew. Being alkaline, Ballistol slows down the growth of fungi in wood, if re-applied in regular intervals.
We are certain that you will find more amazing uses for BALLISTOL.
"BALLISTOL: COMPLETE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
In 1913 Messrs. Kolb, a Philadelphia corporation submitted Ballistol to the "War Department's" Springfield Armory for T&E. Ballistol was tested on several firearms and Ordnance Captain Ramsey notified Messrs. Kolb by end of April 1914 that Ballistol had been found to be far superior to the Cosmoline used at the time by the US Army for firearms maintenance. Kolb was encouraged to submit a proposal in response to the Army's next RFP. However, in the Fall of 1914 the Austrian Army marched into Serbia and WWI began. Since January 01, 1993, Ballistol has been marketed exclusively by the former Washington Trading Company, now called Ballistol, USA. In 1993 the Navy’s Seal Team 6 tested Ballistol and adopted it in 1994 for weapon maintenance. The US Coast Guard began using Ballistol in 1994. Today Ballistol is used by numerous state and local law enforcement departments and departments of correction throughout the US. For Federal Agencies, Ballistol is available through the Defense General Supply Center (DGSC) of the Defense Logistics Agency. The CAGE Code for Ballistol is "OZKM2". Inquire about the NSN,s for Ballistol sizes.
Lubrication
Ballistol is a far better lubricant than most, if not all, other so-called gun oils. Test it by putting Ballistol on your right index finger and another product on your left index finger and by rubbing your index fingers against your thumbs. You will find that Ballistol is significantly slicker than competing products. Then clean your hands and again rub each index finger against the thumb. You will find that the finger which had the Ballistol is still slicker. Now wash both hands with soap and rub again. The finger with Ballistol will will still be slicker. This proves that Ballistol lubricates not only better but also more long-lasting than other products"
Cleaning
"Another problem found with many gun oils is that they are not good cleaners. The gun owner has to use a cleaner first and then a lubricant. And then there is no guarantee that the lubricant is a good corrosion inhibitor. Ballistol fulfills all three functions: it cleans, lubricates and protects against corrosion!
Ballistol has the capability to dissolve traces of copper, zinc, tombac and lead. It can actively eliminate residues of these metals from the chambers and bores of firearms. Test it by sticking a dispensed and slightly corroded brass shell into Ballistol so that the Ballistol covers approximately half of the shell. Leave the shell in the Ballistol for approximately 30 minutes and wipe the part exposed to Ballistol with a dry cotton cloth. You will see it become shiny again.
Ballistol dissolves the inorganic residues from black powder In black powder guns, it also neutralizes the acidic residues from black powder."
From: http://www.firehawktech.com/Ballistol/index.html
"Ingredient Isobutyl Alcohol
Product: 0 Hazardous Ingredients Information
Ballistol-Lube does not contain any components classified "hazardous" by OSHA
Ballistol-Lube contains only one ingredient with TLVs:
Ingredient Isobutyl Alcohol
OSHA PEL 100 ppm TWA
ACGHI TLV 50 ppm TWA
Carcinogenicitv: No NTP publication. No IARC monograph. Ballistol-Lube is based on medicinal Qrade mineral oil (CAS# 8042-47-5), which has been classified "Class 3" by the IARC, This means that there is insufficient evidence for this substance to cause cancer In anI- mals or humans. BALLISTOL-Lube does not contain any substance currently known to be a carcinogen.
From:http://www.firehawktech.com/Ballistol/MSDS.pdf
Monty
BALLISTOL has been around in Europe for over three generations. Originally invented for military use it became a household word in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Millions of users have experimented with BALLISTOL and found new surprising applications for it, some of which reach into the field of veterinary and even human medicine. In the United States the law prohibits a seller to advertise or recommend a product for use as a drug in human or veterinary medicine, unless the Food and Drug Administration have approved it for these uses. BALLISTOL has not been submitted for approval by the FDA as a drug. In Germany a modified formula of BALLISTOL, NEO-BALLISTOL, is admitted for use in veterinary and human medicine. NEO-BALLISTOL is not sold in the USA, Canada or Mexico.
WARNING: BALLISTOL MUST BE USED AS INDICATED IN THE CONSUMER INSTRUCTIONS ON THIS PAGE AND ON THE REVERSE PANEL OF ITS CONTAINER. DO NOT USE BALLISTOL AS A DRUG. BALLISTOL IS NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION."
"• BALLISTOL: ITS BIRTH
In 1874, Friedrich Wilhelm Klever, an attorney with interest in economy, founded the Klever Company” in Cologne, Germany. He began producing oils and greases from coal and eventually bought a coal mine so he would not run out of raw materials. At the turn of the century the imperial German Army (the Wehrmacht) began to look for an all-around oil. The idea was to maintain the metallic parts of the soldier’s rifle but also to protect the wooden stocks and his leather gear. The soldier was to use the same oil for the treatment of minor wounds, sores and scratches. Friedrich’s son, Dr. Helmut Klever, had become a professor of chemistry at the Technical University of Karlsruhe. He set out to develop what the Army wanted. In 1904 he succeeded to produce a special oil which he named BALLISTOL, from the word ballistic and the Latin word for oil, ‘oleum’. Thus the descriptive meaning of the word BALLISTOL is: ballistic oil. It soon became obvious that the new wonder Oil had truly amazing capabilities. The Army tested it and adopted it in 1905 and it stayed in use until 1945. But the word had spread and within a decade hunters, boaters, motorists, hikers, mountaineers and outdoorsmen in Germany, Austria and Switzerland convened to the new miracle oil."
"Most common gun oils, solvents, cleaners or corrosion inhibitors are not good for your gun's wooden stocks, Some attack the high gloss varnish, some will bleach the wood, some will wash the oil out of your oil stocks. Ballistol is good for wood and wooden stocks. It was designed to protect even untreated gun stocks against humidity, insects and fungus and to be compatible with all sorts of paints and varnishes, even those on antique guns. Ballistol can be used to re-treat oil stocks. It penetrates into the wood and inhibits the growth of fungus and mildew in the wood. Of course, you can also use Ballistol on modern and antique furniture or to protect external wooden structures against decay. Ballistol will also prevent insects from attacking wood.
CAUTION: It is sometimes uncertain which type of paint, lacquer or varnish was used on antique guns or furniture. Test Ballistol on a small spot first!
Teak oil does a good job on teak, but only if the wood is dry. If the teak has been exposed for years and the surface has turned grey, neither teak oil nor Ballistol will bring the original looks back. But Ballistol can be applied to the wet wood and it does have the capability to prevent fungus mildew from further deteriorating the wood. Inside a boat cabin, Ballistol maintains the wood everywhere. It makes it look great and prevents it from absorbing too much moisture and from developing mildew. Being alkaline, Ballistol slows down the growth of fungi in wood, if re-applied in regular intervals.
We are certain that you will find more amazing uses for BALLISTOL.
"BALLISTOL: COMPLETE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
In 1913 Messrs. Kolb, a Philadelphia corporation submitted Ballistol to the "War Department's" Springfield Armory for T&E. Ballistol was tested on several firearms and Ordnance Captain Ramsey notified Messrs. Kolb by end of April 1914 that Ballistol had been found to be far superior to the Cosmoline used at the time by the US Army for firearms maintenance. Kolb was encouraged to submit a proposal in response to the Army's next RFP. However, in the Fall of 1914 the Austrian Army marched into Serbia and WWI began. Since January 01, 1993, Ballistol has been marketed exclusively by the former Washington Trading Company, now called Ballistol, USA. In 1993 the Navy’s Seal Team 6 tested Ballistol and adopted it in 1994 for weapon maintenance. The US Coast Guard began using Ballistol in 1994. Today Ballistol is used by numerous state and local law enforcement departments and departments of correction throughout the US. For Federal Agencies, Ballistol is available through the Defense General Supply Center (DGSC) of the Defense Logistics Agency. The CAGE Code for Ballistol is "OZKM2". Inquire about the NSN,s for Ballistol sizes.
Lubrication
Ballistol is a far better lubricant than most, if not all, other so-called gun oils. Test it by putting Ballistol on your right index finger and another product on your left index finger and by rubbing your index fingers against your thumbs. You will find that Ballistol is significantly slicker than competing products. Then clean your hands and again rub each index finger against the thumb. You will find that the finger which had the Ballistol is still slicker. Now wash both hands with soap and rub again. The finger with Ballistol will will still be slicker. This proves that Ballistol lubricates not only better but also more long-lasting than other products"
Cleaning
"Another problem found with many gun oils is that they are not good cleaners. The gun owner has to use a cleaner first and then a lubricant. And then there is no guarantee that the lubricant is a good corrosion inhibitor. Ballistol fulfills all three functions: it cleans, lubricates and protects against corrosion!
Ballistol has the capability to dissolve traces of copper, zinc, tombac and lead. It can actively eliminate residues of these metals from the chambers and bores of firearms. Test it by sticking a dispensed and slightly corroded brass shell into Ballistol so that the Ballistol covers approximately half of the shell. Leave the shell in the Ballistol for approximately 30 minutes and wipe the part exposed to Ballistol with a dry cotton cloth. You will see it become shiny again.
Ballistol dissolves the inorganic residues from black powder In black powder guns, it also neutralizes the acidic residues from black powder."
From: http://www.firehawktech.com/Ballistol/index.html
"Ingredient Isobutyl Alcohol
Product: 0 Hazardous Ingredients Information
Ballistol-Lube does not contain any components classified "hazardous" by OSHA
Ballistol-Lube contains only one ingredient with TLVs:
Ingredient Isobutyl Alcohol
OSHA PEL 100 ppm TWA
ACGHI TLV 50 ppm TWA
Carcinogenicitv: No NTP publication. No IARC monograph. Ballistol-Lube is based on medicinal Qrade mineral oil (CAS# 8042-47-5), which has been classified "Class 3" by the IARC, This means that there is insufficient evidence for this substance to cause cancer In anI- mals or humans. BALLISTOL-Lube does not contain any substance currently known to be a carcinogen.
From:http://www.firehawktech.com/Ballistol/MSDS.pdf
Monty
Last edited:
For a general purpose gun cleaner and lubricant I prefer Ballistol over CLP or Rem Oil. It's an amazing lubricant. However, for rust prevention Weapon Shield is in a class by itself. I have an Italian replica of an 1861 single action revolver. Could not keep rust off of it. That was before Weapon Shield. No other product was able to do that.