It was just an observation of what happened to two shotguns of my brother-in-law. They could have been put away wet---he was a surgeon, hunted rarely---because the rust extended on metal from action to muzzle.

The sight of sheepskin in your case hit a panic button. I appreciate you comments on lanolin. I became acquainted with it as a boy, dipping, docking and shearing. Only 30-plus, knew them by name. Not good when it came to eating.