Question for Mr. Laidler

[Edward Horton]

Could you possibly find out what types of linseed oil were used during factory assembly, at your base workshop level and what was issued to the troops in the field to rub on their stocks.

The 1940 message gave approval for the troops to use raw linseed oil to individually apply to their Enfield stocks.

My main interest is what type of linseed oil was used during hot dipping at the factory and hot dipping at your base workshop level. Was it raw linseed oil, purified raw linseed oil or actual “boiled” linseed oil that had been heated and polymerizes to thicken and aid in drying and aid durability.

Did you have to thin or mix the linseed oil in your hot dip tanks with turpentine or other solvents or did you just keep adding more to the tank as the level dropped. In my books and manuals the only reference I can remember seeing is just the words “linseed oil” or “raw linseed oil” and never any reference to actual “boiled linseed oil” or "BLO"?

Most present day BLO or boiled linseed oil in the U.S. is not actually boiled and just contains raw linseed oil, resins, solvents and dryers that make it toxic and requiring rubber gloves to apply.

I assume the form of linseed you and the other Armourers used did not require the use of rubber gloves when applying due to toxicity of the linseed oil.

Also is there any printed material for this treatment (hot dipping) and care of stocks with any type of linseed oil, and do you know what A.C.I. 88 of 1940 contained or why it was canceled?

Thank you in advance
Ed Horton

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