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cap and ball

The caplock mechanism, percussion lock, or cap and ball was the successor of the flintlock mechanism in firearm technology, and used a percussion cap struck by the hammer to set off the main charge, rather than using a piece of flint to strike a steel frizzen. The caplock mechanism consists of a hammer, similar to the cock used in a flintlock, and a nipple (sometimes referred to as a "cone"), which holds a small percussion cap. The nipple contains a tube which goes into the barrel. The percussion cap contains a chemical compound called mercuric fulminate or fulminate of mercury, whose chemical formula is Hg(ONC)2. It is made from mercury, nitric acid and alcohol. When the trigger releases the hammer, it strikes the cap, causing the mercuric fulminate to explode. The flames from this explosion travel down the tube in the nipple and enter the barrel, where they ignite the main powder charge.

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Recent contents
  1. SuperBreed

    set of 1851 44 caliber cap and ball revolvers/ with supplies

      1. For Sale
    • $600
    • Vancouver
    • Washington
    I have a set of 1851 confederate navy’s for sale. One is the 4 3/4 inch sheriffs model, the other is standard 7 inch barrel. Both are in good shape, and function as they should. Bores on both are great with no rust or pitting. See list for everything included in sale. Asking $600 OBO for...
  2. djblingbling1

    "Man With No Name" Pietta 1851 Navy

      1. For Sale
      2. For Trade
    • $300
    • Keizer
    • Oregon
    Brand new as far as never been fired or loaded. Bought it to add the inlays to the grips, with plans to convert to a .38 as was the pistol in "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" Dont think ill ever get around to it, so letting it go. Belt is a fairly faithful replica of the on screen used belt...
  3. beaconrocker

    1858 new army Pietta replica

      1. For Sale
    • $250
    • Beaverton
    • Oregon
    Selling another used 1858 new army replica made by Pietta. Single action cap and ball revolver in .44 caliber. Steel frame with an 8” barrel. Since it’s black powder there is no FFL needed and I am willing to meet up at buyers location of choice from Beaverton to Battle Ground.
  4. beaconrocker

    Pietta 1858 new army replica

      1. For Sale
    • $250
    • Beaverton
    • Oregon
    Selling a used Pietta 1858 new army replica. 8” barrel, .44 caliber cap and ball revolver. Not legally a firearm so no need for an FFL. Have an extra cylinder to go along with this one for $20 extra. FTF at buyers location of choice somewhere from Beaverton to Battleground.
  5. MilsurpMonkey

    Uberti Colt 1st model Dragoon

      1. For Sale
    • $425
    • Rochester
    • Washington
    Up for sale is an unfired uberti Colt 1st model dragoon. Cool pistols, brass has a little patina from storage, easily cleaned if you don’t like the look, steel is all like new. $425 at Grand Mound exit 88 from I5. ETA- .44 caliber black powder Shipping possible, I think it should fit fine in a...
  6. D

    Cap and ball revolver

      1. Want to Trade For
    • Dallas
    • Oregon
    Looking for a cap and ball blackpowder revolver, Mostly interested in steel frames but I would definitely consider brass. Have a 1941 izzy Mosin Nagant refurbed in Hungary for trade.
  7. CountryGent

    "Would it be beneficial for modern shooters to learn how to shoot a flintlock, matchlock, cap and ball, etc. type rifle?"

    On the latest In Range TV Q&A session, Karl was asked "Would it be beneficial for modern shooters to learn how to shoot a flintlock, matchlock, cap and ball, etc. type rifle?" His answer is: For the front-stuffing aficionados, how would you answer the inquiry?
  8. N

    WTB : Parker Hale England 1853 Enfield 3 band musket or Whitworth

      1. Want to Buy
    • Port Townsend
    • Washington
    Would like to find a decent used or like new Parker Hale England 1853 Enfield 3 band musket or Whitworth rifle These were made in the 1970's in England Have cash ready to go for the right gun(s) If you have one that you no longer use or want , let me know My email is N870(at)Hotmail(dot)com I...
  9. dietrich

    Remington New Model Army 1858 .44cal Revolver Uberti

      1. For Sale
    • $400
    • Portland
    • Oregon
    Unfired blackpowder cap and ball revolver made by uberti. comes with leather holster. I have powder, caps, and balls to sell with it if the buyer would like to add them at a discount.
  10. Kyrsen

    .44 Cap and Ball Black Powder starter kit

      1. For Sale
      2. For Trade
    • $300
    • Corvallis
    • Oregon
    Everything you need to get shooting cap and ball. One pistol, two cylinders test fired and cleaned. Nearly full pound of pyrodex. Nearly 200 caps. 90-100 .454 cal balls. Powder flask and measure. Capping tool. Cleaning kit. Nipple wrench... Everything to get you started. Great...
  11. M

    Pietta 1860 army .44 cal cylinder

      1. For Sale
    • $40
    • Milwaukie
    • Oregon
    In great shape, asking $50
  12. D

    Cap and Ball revolvers ... out of stock?

    OK so this panic buying thing is clearly out of control. With the recent panic prices being what they are, I've sold around a dozen firearms and mostly squirrelled the proceeds away, spent a little on dies and whatnot, the occasional Sig ... (Who doesn't have a few occasional Sigs among us?)...
  13. S

    Cap and ball rebore

    I was talking to my father today and he was asking if I knew armorers or gunsmiths in WA who rebore ball and cap guns. He said he called Redmans Rifling and Reboring in Omak and the guy was a jerk. Told my father he doesn’t waste his time and hung up. So, I told I’m I’d ask around and...
  14. L

    I was debating getting extra cylinders for my Pietta , 1858 Army , .44 cap and ball revolver

    Everyone, I was debating getting extra cylinders for my Pietta, 1858 Army, .44 cap and ball revolver. I finally bought a micrometer and the cylinders (nominally) measured: .436 .432 .437 .436 .436 The bore nominally measured .432 I don't know if getting other cylinders would be more...
  15. S

    Hornady .36cal Lead Round Balls (100)

      1. For Sale
      2. For Trade
    • $10
    • Vancouver
    • Washington
    Round balls for .36 caliber muzzle loaders $10 TRADE FOR LEAD AND SILVER (will add cash to make up current spot price) Trade for .44cal lead balls of same quantity Located in Vancouver, can meet in Portland some days
  16. K

    New .36 Caliber Pietta Cap and Ball Revolver Never fired with many .36 and .44 Cal accessories

      1. For Sale
    • $299
    • Vancouver
    • Washington
    For sale is my brand new, unfired, new old stock, .36 Caliber Cap and Ball Revolver. It was quality made by Pietta over 20 years ago and was stored and never fired. The frame is case hardened. Please let me know if You have any questions. I will not ship. Comes with a load of additional...
  17. K

    Unfired .44 Cal Cap and Ball Revolver New Old Stock by Pietta. Has Naval Battle Scene Engraved on Cylinder. Beautiful! Just $199!

      1. For Sale
      2. For Trade
    • $199
    • Vancouver
    • Washington
    For sale is my brand new, unfired, new old stock, .44 Cal. Cap and Ball Revolver (Navy Revolver?). It was quality made by Pietta over 20 years ago. The frame is case hardened, and has an engraving of a US Naval Battle on the cylinder. The cylinder is also engraved with the words, “Engaged 16 May...
  18. S

    Uberti 1849 Colt Pocket

      1. For Sale
      2. For Trade
    • $300
    • Vancouver
    • Washington
    Uberti 1849 Colt Pocket .31 New, unfired.... but no box Beautiful little pistol. See pic for size comparison vs full size 1858 Remington $300 May be open to trades, not sure what I want... feel free to make offers Located in Vancouver but will meet in Portland, no FFL req'd Will also ship
  19. K

    US Marshal’s Edition .44 Cal Black Powder Revolver by Pietta Brand New never fired

      1. For Sale
      2. For Trade
    • $225
    • Vancouver
    • Washington
    For sale is my brand new, never fired U.S. Marshal’s Edition .44 Caliber Black Powder Cap and Ball Revolver. Made by Pietta, it is the beautiful deluxe engraved, polished-steel version. These have not been made for at least 20 years. I also have another .44 Cal Engraved Cap and Ball Black...
  20. J

    $300 Italian 44 Caliber Cap and Ball Revolver everything needed

      1. For Sale
    • $300
    • Vancouver
    • Washington
    $360 for the entire kit for the revolver. This has it all. Everything you need to shoot this gun comes with it. The balls are from ACME Bullets in Wisconsin. They are 454 caliber and shoot in this pistol. They come in a very cool wooden box. The holster is in excellent shape. It is a right hand...
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