I spend quite a bit of time in antique shops as my wife searchers for the next treasure and I have found a few small oilers that I use in gun cases. None of these oilers contain as much as an ounce of oil making them perfect for my application. I have found 4 different types with the most prevalent being the nickel over brass oilers with a screw top and a "needle" in the top to prevent oil leakage. I have included a brass 12 gauge shell for size comparison.




Another type, and my favorite, are those with a spigot as shown in this photo



The third photo shows two dippers and a "pocket oiler". One of the dippers is in the form of a 30x06 cartridge and marked Shakespeare, clearly for a fishing reel.

i wonder if the top picture's oilers were supplied in gun cases, all the ones I have are from fishing reel makers

I think some, if not most, of those in the top picture are actually vintage sewing machine oilers. I think the dipper on the left of the bottom picture is likely an oiler than went in the buttstock of a military rifle.

cpa

The oiler on the left bottom photo is labeled "Never Leak One Drop Oil Can".

It must have had some commercial application other than a military oiler.

I have a twin to the right side bottom picture, lipstick style oiler, but it is embossed "LC Smith typewriters"

I have a duplicate to the one on the right in the lower picture. It's called Perfect Pocket Oiler . I see it advertised in a pre 1800 Forest and Stream , but there is not mention of a specific use for the oiler in the ad, Just that it will not leak in your pocket.