Hi Everyone.  In response to Bill Shirley's comments about the dry
lubricant he once had in his possession, I believe that this probably
was molybdenum disulfide.

This material, also called "moly", owed its lubricating quality to the
disc shape of its molecules that slid over each other in use.  It was
this material in a suspension which "our" ground troops in Vietnam used
to lubricate the moving parts of their weapons to keep them from
jamming in the hot, humid atmosphere of the surroundings.

As an aside, the military refused to supply this, because it was
"not in the manual".  Parents and friends of those unfortunate boys
would send it privately to them.  This material, known as 'dry slide',
was readily available in hardware stores and intended mainly for
locks, etc.

I used to have it in powder form and believe I got this directly from
the manufacturers whose name slipped my mind.  I wish I could get some
again, it was wonderful stuff and non-hydroscopic.

If you ever find some again Bill, could you let me know where you got
it ?  Just a bit of archival info..

Albert de Boer

 [ If not at the hardware store, it might be available at gun stores
 [ or sporting goods stores.  -- Robbie