Leaving cosmoline on a rifle for extended periods of time?

Silverplate

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Are there any long term problems with leaving partially dried cosmoline on a rifle that is being stored?

Some of my milsurps still have a fair amount of cosmo under the wood line and in the barrels. All grease has been wiped off of the surface to allow for cleaner handling of the rifles but I have not yet bothered with a complete de-greasing.

These rifles are mainly being stored as part of a collection and I am wondering if over time the grease may harden or stain the wood stocks.

Any thoughts?


Silverplate
 
That stuff can get hard over the years but it all cleans off. Its made for long term storage in poor or unknown conditions. The only drawback from not cleaning it off properly is when the gun gets hot from shooting, the grease oozes out from everywhere.

I've wrapped up rifle parts in newspaper and set them on the dash in an old vehicle in the yard during the summer. It seems to ooze out by itself.
 
After 50 to 70 years in a Russian salt mine most surplus is in very good condition. Some mineral spirits and you are good to go. Cosmoline is made to preserve
 
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