Percussion Cap Size

[John L Venable]

Here's a Semi-Newbie question.... been searching the web like mad can't get a result, Can't call Tow or Dixie because it's to late... but frustrated. Recently purchased a Pedersoli .36 Frontier percussion, unfired, but lacking drum and nipple. Got them in the mail today from Dixe but it seems the Nipple is quite long and Narrow, a #10/11 cap fits perfectly. Shouldn't this be using a "Musket" Cap? I have a feeling I'll get a faster answer here and sleep better, My other Percs, an Enfield and Richmond Rifle... take the Musket Cap as they should.

Would appreciate any help, Thanks in advance.

John in Richmond

 

[Crawdad1]

I take it the throw of the hammer is fine when the drum and nipple are installed? This rifle should use a #10 or #11 priming cap and not a musket cap.

 

[John L Venable]

I take it the throw of the hammer is fine when the drum and nipple are installed? This rifle should use a #10 or #11 priming cap and not a musket cap.

Thanks for the quick response. Gonna install at the range tomorrow, or maybe after Dinner. Relatively new to long arms, more of a revolver guy.

JV

 

[rodwha]

After dinner would be the better option I'd think. Nothing more frustrating than being at the range to find out something isn't quite right.

Not a musket cap as was mentioned.

 

[AJumbo]

I'll second rodwha on this one. Installing a nipple is no big deal, but the drum might not go in quite as easily. Best to do it ay home, on your bench, with your best tools handy.

 

[Crawdad1]

I had the predecessor of your rifle when they were being built in St Joe, Missouri at Hatfield Rifle Works. (I'm holding it in my pic)

It had a good Pedersoli barrel on it. Good luck with yours, they can shoot!!!

 

[John L Venable]

I take it the throw of the hammer is fine when the drum and nipple are installed? This rifle should use a #10 or #11 priming cap and not a musket cap.

Hi and what you mentioned.... honestly being new in the longarms end of BP, Trying to install the Drum, it screws in about 1/4-1/3 short of the nipple alignment with the hammer.... I did not want to force it, (releuctantly I ask, should I just bear down?).... If searched diligently but can't come up with any videos or how to's Do I have to remove the breech plug, screw in the drum then reinstall the breech plug.... yes, obviously a newbie. Any help would be appreciated, I could run down to the Gunsmith, but if I can learn to do it myself I'd like to.

Thanks for any help you may offer

 

[Crawdad1]

There should be some torque to get the drum in the proper position but I can't see how short it is, so I can't really say how to proceed.

 

[DD4lifeusmc]

musket caps are normally reserved for heavier calibers with larger powder loads.
My 50 cal use a #11 from factory I did install a musket nipple but the hammer didn't strike squarely and thus had a few misfires, the musket nipple being taller, so the hammer wasn't hitting square.
So as others said yep most likely a #10 or 11

 

[DD4lifeusmc]

drum? what make is the unit?
CVA factory drilled barrel / breech plug then drilled the drum hole and installed the drum AFTER installing the breech plug.
You might need a gun smith or a good machinist to install a replacement drum. might need machined with an extra 1/2 to 1 thread

 

[daboyleroy]

Does it look like the attached photo?

And why did you have to remove the breech plug ?

 

[jaguarxk120]

Musket nipples were used on military guns/rifles because it was easier to cap the gun after loading.
In the heat of battle those small No.11 caps were too small for the rifleman to use.
The larger four wing musket cap was easy to grab from the cap box and place on the nipple.

Since your are not fighting a war the No.11 caps will work just fine.

 

[AJumbo]

If you could post a few pics of the rifle, the drum and nipple assembly, and the relationship of the drum to the hammer throw, we could be a lot more help.

 

[jaguarxk120]

It should also be noted that the recess in the hammer nose is larger for the four winged musket caps.
The hammer nose on this rifle will have a smaller recess.