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Tip of the day: Hidden hazards of Hoppe's #9. See first post.
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The day after I returned home from Montana I got my bird guns out and cleaned them thoroughly. The temps were in -20s all the way home and even though they were still in cases, the guns were bound to pick up lots of condensation once they were back in the house. I was working in the kitchen where the light was better (a rack of flourescents was out in the basement). Suddenly I noticed my older lab choking and gagging. On closer examination I found she had puked up the fiber sealing pad for lid of Hoppe’s #9. These things are unattached (or the stuff eats up the glue) and consistently fall out of the lids once the bottles have been opened. This one fell on the floor unnoticed and I guess old Pearl was attracted to the sweet smell. As we all know, that stuff is very toxic. So be aware of this hazardous booby trap in the lids and govern yourselves accordingly! -
That is the darned thing! Old Pearl is too inquisitive for her own good. You know, when I was in college I used to put a dab of Hoppe's behind my ears, pulled the chicks in like nobody's business. Please have a Happy New Year.Comment
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OH, I hope ol' Pearl is doing ok after her little snack. If I remember right, she has had a tough time this past year! I will keep you tip in mind when I'm cleaning my guns when the wife's little rat is around, but for right now the main hazard I have to worry about from #9 is the butt whipping I'd get from my wife for spilling it on the family room carpet. Did that once and only once when I was growing up and my mom caught me cleaning my shotgun in the living room of our house.Comment
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H. Myles
Ever find that book?Comment
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Here is what is thought to be the original Hoppe's 9 formula:
...And For Historical Reference--The Original Hoppes No. 9
The original "Eau de Gun." If you don't like this smell you ain't a real shooter! This formula came from Hatcher's Notebook and the amounts are rounded from the original formula to make 1 quart. Any resemblance to the current "environmentally correct" No. 9 is accidental.
Original component Notes
Ammonium oleate (CAS #544-60-5)
aka Oleic Acid CAS #112-80-1 5.0 oz (also known as ammonium soap) Could substitute lanolin but this would sacrifice its mild copper removal qualities
Amyl Acetate (CAS#544-60-5) 8.5 oz ("banana oil")
Nitro-benzene 2.0 oz (the racing fuel additive)
K1 Kerosene 8.5 oz
Neutral Saponifiable Oil 8 oz (Not identified, probably sperm oil, but ATF could be substituted.
My guess is the Nitro Benzene has been replaced in the current formula.Comment
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Hmmm. The "banana oil" would definitely appear to have some toxicity at that concentration (over one cup per quart). I'm guessing that's what attracted Pearl. It's also used as a paint thinner. I recall it's sweet odor well. When I was doing my PhD in Winnipeg, every morning on my way to the bus stop I had to walk by the plant where the Greyhound buses were manufactured. The ventilation from the paint shed end of the building was enough to make me a bit light headed!Comment
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And "amyl acetate" IS NOT derived from bananas. It only smells like bananas.Comment
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