Originally Posted by
LawsonStone
I have used Ballistol for years, obviously for cleaning and lubing guns. I also mix it with some baking soda and water to make a spray for my garden plants. It wonderfully protects against a variety of bugs and biting things.
Straight ballistol liquid applied to a blade can look somewhat like a gel later, but it's nothing to worry about. It wipes off easily and does no harm to the blade. Indeed, German rifles lubed and wiped with ballistol and stored in the 1930's have been opened in the 2000's and found to be in perfect working order once the ballistol was wiped off.
Ballistol was invented in the early 20th century when the German army needed a single substance to clean and lube guns, condition leather belts and straps, condition the wood of gun stocks, and even soften and treat some wounds. It was going to be adopted by the US Army but the outbreak of WWI seems to have spoiled the appeal of German products for the US military.
Ballistol is non toxic though I wouldn't suggest ingesting it.
I spray it on my pets, children, even my wife, and they all seem happier and better behaved.
The only thing that does more jobs, better than ballistol is my 1911 .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol, which can penetrate armored cars, turn back hordes of restless natives, bring down fighter airplanes, drive tent stakes, and still have 2 rounds left in the magazine…