Evolution of Vapor Paper

[George_in_SD]

Vapor paper for whatever reason has always intrigued me, and given the amount of variation found throughout the years presents a neat timeline of development. 1950’s NOX paper with black text is my favorite, with the 1950’s more waxy paper and colored ink (Red + Black) coming as a close second. I’m rather curious as to the other variations found throughout 1900-1980, hopefully others can expound upon them. Pictures are a necessity J



Here are the variations that I can illustrate:
(When I get some time I will make an effort to photograph just the vapor paper that I have to show it more clearly.)

1951-1952? NOX-Rust VAPOR WRAPPER, non waxy paper, heavy stock, black ink. *Notice the difference in printing styles and paper material. Much more dynamic placement of text on this vapor paper*


1952-1953? NOX-Rust VAPOR WRAPPER, waxy paper, heavy stock, blank ink.


1955-1959? NOX-RUST VAPOR WRAPPER ‘Keep This Precision Item Rust-Free.. Do Not Unwrap Until Ready For Use’ waxy, heavy stock paper, black and red ink. There is some additional text above the NOX line but I can’t read it in my picture, nor recall what it says. Will update.


1960-1970? Smith & Wesson ‘Since 1852’ ‘Place opposite side against metal…’, thinner paper, dark blue ink. Honestly, I’m not sure if the paper pictured is period correct, or even a proper vapor barrier for that matter. But, it’s paper I’ve got a picture of so here it is.




The different styles that I have seen are loosely below:

1. White/Off white blank tissue type paper circa 1930, I've seen this style with registered magnums

2. Tan blank vapor paper of a heavier weight, 90lb+, circa late 1930’s. I've seen this with later outdoorsman and mid-transitional M&P’s.

3. Tan NOX vapor paper as picture above, with black ink, on a heavy stock paper.

4. Darker tan NOX paper as pictured above, with black and red ink. This paper is much waxier in feel and appearance.

5. Darker tan NOX paper as pictured above, with black ink. This paper is much waxier in feel and appearance.

6. Light tan paper with the S&W logo and text circa 1960-1970, still a heavier stock, with a light blue ink color.

7. Darker tan paper with the S&W logo and text circa 1970+, a lighter stock, with dark blue ink color.

My questions:

1. How did they produce the vapor paper?

2. For NOX style paper and others with text/logos printed, how did they print it? Letterpress? Screenprint? Who printed it?

3. Is the type of paper used due to frame size? Whatever they had on hand? Era? Etc.

 

[DWalt]

The first patents on vapor-phase corrosion inhibitors (VPIs) for ferrous metals were issued just after WWII and into the early 1950s, and typically reference salts of volatile organic cycloamines. I've understood the first commercial-scale VPI use was during the Korean War era. I don't know exactly how, but I would guess that the organic amine salts were incorporated or impregnated into the wrapping paper. Any corrosion preventive papers used prior to the early 1950s must have used some other principle. What happens is that the salts are slightly volatile, and the organic amine vapors released are continually deposited on the ferrous metal surfaces, coating and sealing it against contact with water vapor - much like waxing the metal surface. No idea about the other questions.

There is nothing magic about the use of VPI paper. VPIs can be found in conjunction with other support materials. You can even buy VPIs on wood chips - just seal whatever you want to protect into a plastic bag along with a few VPI wood chips. I have also seen (about 35 years ago) small porous paper packets of cyclohexylamine carbonate powder used for the same purpose as the VPI wood chips.
The cyclohexylamine carbonate very slowly decomposes and releases cyclohexylamine vapor (which deposits onto the metal surface) and carbon dioxide.

I do not know the shelf life of VPI paper, but it has to be finite, as ultimately the amine salts will disappear. I'd suspect any older than maybe 10 years (or possibly much less than that) has lost its protective powers.
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I just thought of something else. I once evaluated some plastic sheaths for M16 rifles. These were intended for long-term storage. Apparently the plastic was impregnated with some VPI. I do remember that they were rated for storage up to 10 years. I think they were also made for handguns. My notes indicate that they were made by the Heritage Packaging Company in Victor, NY. This was about 7-8 years ago, so they may or may not still be in business.

They still are: http://heritagepackaging.com/products/product/zcorr-anti-corrosion-storage-bags

 

[shouldazagged]

I'm afraid I was too busy looking at the guns to pay much attention to the paper variations.

 

[Jaymo]

We have a big bottle of VCI liquid at work. Sure would like to get 4 oz of that.