cap and ball revolvers
- Thread starter m1978
- Start date
Well, basically, a minister invented the percussion cap back in the early part of the 19th century, as a self contained replacement for flint. So to fire your BP firearm, you would have a percussion cap placed on a nipple (which has a small hole in it to transfer the flame down to the BP in the chamber of the firearm. Think of it as an early primer and you have the right idea. Lot's of Italian made copies of C&B revolvers around, Uberti makes a nice one, but there are lots of other makers. Conversions came along in the late 1860's, to take advantage of self contained cartridge technology with C&B revolvers. Richards conversions were popular (he was one of the guys who ran Colt after Samuel died. Sam Colt passed on the self contained cartridge idea, one of his employee's brought it to him, Rollin White if memory serves, and he turned down the idea, so White took it to S&W. Bad move on Colt's part, but in his defence, he was in the middle of supplying the US gov't for the war of northern aggression at the time and probably couldn't drum up the production capability. FWIW - dan
Cap & Ball Revolvers
If you are thinking of getting a cap & ball revolver and purchasing a conversion kit, purchase the Uberti revolvers. The kits are made to fit the Uberti line. I have had dozens of cap & ball revolvers and the Uberti were superior to any of the other Italion models.
If you are going to shoot them as stock guns make sure you use the proper caps. The problem with a chain fire in the cap & ball revolvers usually results from improper fitting caps. Most prople use number 11 caps and they fit OK but sometimes you have to squeeze them to fit snug. If you use the No 10 caps they will fit the nipples and minimize the chance of chain fire. This has been my experience with cap & ball handguns and revolving carbines. I would
go to a black powder club if one is near, and ask the members before you purchase.
Hope this helps.
Albayo
If you are thinking of getting a cap & ball revolver and purchasing a conversion kit, purchase the Uberti revolvers. The kits are made to fit the Uberti line. I have had dozens of cap & ball revolvers and the Uberti were superior to any of the other Italion models.
If you are going to shoot them as stock guns make sure you use the proper caps. The problem with a chain fire in the cap & ball revolvers usually results from improper fitting caps. Most prople use number 11 caps and they fit OK but sometimes you have to squeeze them to fit snug. If you use the No 10 caps they will fit the nipples and minimize the chance of chain fire. This has been my experience with cap & ball handguns and revolving carbines. I would
go to a black powder club if one is near, and ask the members before you purchase.
Hope this helps.
Albayo
If you want one to look at, buy what ever you want.
If you plan to fire it, buy a steel frame one. The brass frames eventually stretch.
Also, the Remington New Army 1858 has a top strap above the cylinder. The Colt does not. Although the Colt is probably quite strong in its own right, the top strap of the Remington should make it that much stronger, and less likely to stretch.
I have a Pietta 1858 Rem. NA, in steel of course
If you plan to fire it, buy a steel frame one. The brass frames eventually stretch.
Also, the Remington New Army 1858 has a top strap above the cylinder. The Colt does not. Although the Colt is probably quite strong in its own right, the top strap of the Remington should make it that much stronger, and less likely to stretch.
I have a Pietta 1858 Rem. NA, in steel of course
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I believe the Ruger Old Army is the best (strongest and most accurate) C&B revolver available, even if it's appearance offends the Traditionalist. At one time they could be had blued with a brass Dragoon style grip frame, which made them very handsome.
I tend to agree that Remington style revolvers with the top strap was probably the strongest. Of coarse the huge Colt Walker , which was reputed to be the world's most powerful handgun until the advent of the .44 Magnum, belies this. But if nothing else the top strap is a convenient place to mount a rear sight.
Which ever gun you choose, put a dab of grease over each loaded chamber to prevent the ignition of one chamber to another.
I tend to agree that Remington style revolvers with the top strap was probably the strongest. Of coarse the huge Colt Walker , which was reputed to be the world's most powerful handgun until the advent of the .44 Magnum, belies this. But if nothing else the top strap is a convenient place to mount a rear sight.
Which ever gun you choose, put a dab of grease over each loaded chamber to prevent the ignition of one chamber to another.
