Linseed Oil

[LURCHWV@BJS]

   
   Does Linseed Oil go bad?  I have a can my Grandfather bought in 1951, it has set in my Grandmother's basement totaly undisturbed since the day he placed it there.  My Grandfather would have undoubtedly been a Gunbuilder if he hadn't Died in1952.  I met a man totaly co-incidently that my Grandfather taught to shoot and hunt.  This man now help's me.  The man told me that my GF planned on building a rifle but became ill before he could relize his dream.

  He did have the chance to build a Guncabinet to place his Guns in,  but that was as far as he got.  I got the cabinet when my GM died last year  being the only Grandson.  The first gun to go into it will be my first build and I want to use the linseed oil my GF purchased.  So this is why I ask if it goes bad.

   Rich

[Jim Kibler]

If it's not solidified, it's likely good.  I would bet there is a good chance that linseed oil from this time period would be leaded.  If this is the case, it's better than what is readily available today.

[Dphariss]

I would guess its cold processed oil even in 1951 and may dry fairly slowly as is but its easy to test.

Dan

[Stophel]

Does it smell bad?

[LURCHWV@BJS]

Does it smell bad?

   I wouldn't know, I've never smelled Linseed Oil


    Rich

[ozkjim]

 I always remember the smell of linseed oil on my  baseball glove.   Jim

[Stophel]

I find linseed oil to have a pleasant aroma...until you actually boil it...

I have bought a can of raw linseed oil before, and it smelled rancid, so I never used it.

[LURCHWV@BJS]

   It kinda smells like the paint in those paint by numbers sets.


           Rich

[TPH]

I always remember the smell of linseed oil on my  baseball glove.  Jim

Jim, you mean neatsfoot oil don't you? Very different....

[Sequatchie Rifle]

I'm using WWII period (1944) Boiled Linseed Oil, that I got from my Dad, who got it from his Dad.  I have two one gallon cans and a couple of quart cans.  It works great on anything I put it on!

[Old Ford2]

 To Sequatchie
I would guess that you have enough linseed oil for a rifle or two!
Old Ford