Posted on 07/21/2019 4:03:07 AM PDT by marktwain
U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- Col. Townsend Whelen was an iconic American rifleman, soldier, experimenter, and leader who lived through the introduction of smokeless powder and bolt action rifles. He wrote voluminously, including several books. He lived a long and useful life, born in 1877, and dying at the end of 1961, at the age of 88. His works live on today and are considered classics.
While visiting my brother in Northern Wisconsin, I was perusing his collection of Gun Digests. Looking at early Gun Digests reminds me of how much things have changed, how much we have lost and gained in our right to keep and bear arms.
In the 1960 Gun Digest, Col. Whelen, in one of the last articles he wrote, reminisced about the introduction of the Krag rifle and Hoppe's No. 9 powder solvent.
I had never seen the story about Hoppe's before. I have been unable to find it on the Internet. As the small excerpt about Hoppe's is well within fair use standards, I will reproduce it here, for the edification of future generations of shooters. The article recounts Col. Whelen's experience with the Krag rifle from 1900 to 1912. The primers of the time were a stable and reliable mix of Potassium Chlorate, Antimony Sulfide powder, Sulfur powder, and ground glass. The main problem with these primers was they produced a highly corrosive residue that stayed in the bore. From the 1960 Gun Digest, Col. Townsend Whelen, in the article titled: Days of the Krag:
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
I use it all the time to soften and help remove rust from older weapons without damaging any original finish. Worked great to restore my Burnside Carbine and my 1860 Colt to original working condition.
The smell of FReedom...
Every female, (even gun loving ones) that I know hates the smell of number 9.
I thought it was the teardrops of angels weeping over poorly maintained firearms...
“He lived a long and useful life, born in 1877, and dying at the end of 1961, at the age of 88.”
A remarkable individual, to be able to live 88 years while only 84 years passed for the rest of the world.
Love the scent of Hoppe’s No. 9 I use it for cologne.
Neat story, but the chemical component in Hoppe’s 9 that was used to dissolve corrosive salts from corrosive primers was removed from the formulation many years ago because it was a suspected carcinogen
Best smell this side of a gas pump.
bkmk
Ditto.
I use it as a cologne.......
Ha, ya beat me! LOL!
Love the nostalgic smell, but it is useless compared to newer products.
“Neat story, but the chemical component in Hoppe’s 9 that was used to dissolve corrosive salts from corrosive primers was removed from the formulation many years ago because it was a suspected carcinogen”
It was the first thought that came into my mind. After some due dilligence among the shelves of “CLP’s” at several stores (my nephew and I read every label) it appears that the Hoppe’s No.9 of yore no longer exists. What is available is fascinating with many products almost identical. I went with the choice of USMC and personal experience on my choice of product as I clean, lube, and protect all of my outdoor gear (that needs a CLP) with the same product.
Great minds think alike.
What’s your preference?
It smells like perfume to me.
“Every female, (even gun loving ones) that I know hates the smell of number 9.”
The official cologne of the He Man Woman Haters Club.
“What’s your preference?”
I’ve been using Corrosionx for guns. And Hoppe’s too, although living in Colorado rust isn’t near the problem like I had in Tennessee.
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