A 1/4 Cent Cap Rake

[J-Bar]

A cap rake is a common modification made to open top percussion revolvers in an effort to prevent spent caps from jamming in the hammer recess. I tried to put a cap rake post in one of my 1851s but I did not drill the hole correctly. So I figured out a different way to make a cap rake out of a coin. The post-style cap rake is simple, but this is an option if the post does not work out. I am not a gunsmith; if I can do this, anyone can!

If you don't like to see a Dremel used on a gun, you should watch something else. If you don't like light classical music you can turn down the volume and not miss anything because there is no narration; but I let you know why I chose that piece as background music at the end of the video.

Here's hoping you find it worth your time. Thanks for giving it a chance.

 

[drobs]

Awesome!

 

[whughett]

Doable, but think I'll just keep sending mine to the Goon, I do admire your videography and editing skills.

 

[drobs]

By the way. I'll be home a week or 2 before Christmas, if it aint snowing you and I are going to get together for a meal / shooting.
You're welcome to come down my way or I'll drive up your way. I try to buy a pound of BP from Cherokee firearms in Springfield every time I'm home.

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

Very Cool J-Bar!
Loved the accompaniment.
Maybe a album idea - "Music for the Classical Gunsmith"

 

[44 Dave]

Should have used a pre '82 copper.

 

[J-Bar]

Should have used a pre '82 copper.

When inspiration hit, I grabbed what I had!

I considered using a dime, but did not want folks to think I was flaunting my wealth.

 

[45 Dragoon]

Nice fix J-Bar !!
Next time, whether it's post or penny, you may want to thin the mounted post or penny instead of opening the slot. Opening the slot may result in failure to fire. I try to leave the face of the hammer "as is" and polish to a mirror as a final step.

Mike

 

[J-Bar]

Nice fix J-Bar !!
Next time, whether it's post or penny, you may want to thin the mounted post or penny instead of opening the slot. Opening the slot may result in failure to fire. I try to leave the face of the hammer "as is" and polish to a mirror as a final step.

Mike

Good advice I'm sure, but I doubt I will ever do another. I have only one pair of open tops now, Uberti 1851s, and did the 1/4 penny installation on both. I took a few photos but not enough for a video. I mentioned what I had done to a buddy cowboy action shooter, and he asked me to install them in his guns too. I agreed to do his so I could produce the video. So the movie is actually a composite of work on 4 different revolvers, his pair and mine. Sometimes I would think I had a good picture of one step, but then would have to re-photograph it on another.

I'm content to let others run with the idea from this point on. I have no intention of working on any guns other than my own; this was a unique situation. It was fun to prove the idea worked and I'm content with that.

I was surprised at how much material can be removed from the slot and still get ignition. The hammer face on the first revolver I worked on wound up looking like a meth addict's smile, much uglier than the one shown in the video. And it still goes bang. I was shocked when caps popped in testing. I really don't want to know how much more I could remove to cause failure, but there is a surprising margin for error. If worse came to worse, the hammer could be replaced and the penny ground down and you would be back to square one, so I don't see that an irreversible risk is being taken if one attempts to install either a post or penny rake.

 

[J-Bar]

By the way. I'll be home a week or 2 before Christmas, if it aint snowing you and I are going to get together for a meal / shooting.
You're welcome to come down to Theodosia or I'll drive up your way. I try to buy a pound of BP from Cherokee firearms in Springfield every time I'm home.

edit:

Sorry for the misfire, my iPhone does not behave on this forum sometimes, had to switch to a computer.

I look forward to eating and shooting with you! Please send me a note when you get home and we can work out details. In case you didn't know, Cherokee Firearms has relocated to a much larger building on Kansas Expressway and Walnut, and they now have an indoor range. If you have time I can take you to one of our cowboy action matches; there are several within easy driving. Might make a cowboy out of you yet!!

 

[il.bill]

Thank you for the video, J-Bar. It is VERY well done.

I only have an 1858 Remington style cap and ball revolver to shoot at this time, but an 1851 Navy is right at the top of my black powder wish list.

 

[sltm1]

Nicely done and a great alternative.

 

[BullSlinger]

Very Nicely Done. I may try this myself.

 

[entropy]

Excellent video! Love the music, Liszt is a great choice. Seems like a lot more work that drilling for a post and tapping the post in, but if that isn't an option, this would work. If you had put the penny in straight, you wouldn't have had to do so much filing. It looks about .003" off to the left at 3:55 in the video. Good field fix, though; I'll keep it in mind!

 

[J-Bar]

It looks about .003" off to the left at 3:55 in the video.

Good eye!

There are many places where extreme precision is needed for a revolver to work, but thankfully this is not one.

As I said previously, I think the post style rake is easier, but if it doesn't work for any reason (breakage, falling out, whatever) this is salvage option. I rushed the job so I could test the concept at an upcoming match. I have no doubt it could be done more precisely. But it was fun to do!