Col. Townsend Whelen Tells How Hoppe’s No. 9 Came to Be

Ammoland ^ | 17 July, 2019 | Dean Weingarten

[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:

[Stevenc131]

You used to be able to buy air fresheners with the No.9 scent for your vehicle.

[Mariner]

Hoppe’s No. 9 and the rigor of same day cleaning, no matter what, are part of American history.

Not shared by any other nation.

‘This’ counts you as an American.

[Disambiguator]

I use the original CLP from WW1 times - Ballistol. It also has s distinctive smell. The biggest problem with it is availability. Very few retailers carry it.

[skimbell]

Thought that you might like to see this. I know a retired chemist who told me essentially this same story. He was part of the team that developed CLP at the R.I.A.

https://www.cherrybalmz.com/history-the-cold-war--clp

[Big Red Badger]

Thanks Dean,
Goodstuff!

[Ten Beers Gone]

Every female, (even gun loving ones) that I know hates the smell of number 9.

My wife loves the smell of Hoppe's #9. After cleaning the guns with Hoppe's, she tells me that I smell "sexy".

She's a keeper.

[mad_as_he$$]

+.

[mad_as_he$$]

Years ago at the car wash the kid acting as the cashier asked me what scent of air freshener I want; I said No 9. He said we don’t have that, so I said OK then vagina. Locked him up.

[Carriage Hill]

A few drops in your ashtray will do it.

[Oatka]

The smell of FReedom.

There was an old joke going around that a gun-owning father stipulated that his daughter's boyfriend had to use Hoppes as an after-shave lotion.

Gotta admit, the stuff smells great to me.

[RandallFlagg]

But the nagging question is:
Is it pronounced, “Hops,” or, “Hopees?”
Kinda like Wylde
“Will-Dee” or “Wild?”
The guys on WeLikeShooting always argue these things.

[zeugma]

My wife loves the smell of Hoppe's #9. After cleaning the guns with Hoppe's, she tells me that I smell "sexy".

She's a keeper.

Definitely.