Condoms were employed by soldiers as a shield to protect their "other weapons" by covering the muzzles of their guns. This kept mud and other debris from getting into the barrel of the rifle and clogging it up. In line, with gun lubricant, This practice continued right up until the end of the Vietnam War when American soldiers were seen securing condoms to their M-16 rifles. Condoms guaranteed that the gun would be ready in an instant.