Percussion pistol resto- nipple issues.

[Oddbawl]

I'm working on a restoration of a European percussion pistol that I picked up, the outside of the barrel and breech plug are quite pitted, but not too deep.
Draw filing is taking it all out. While I'm doing it, I'm staring at the rough, rusty piece of crap nipple.
I soaked the whole thing in evaporust and tried to unscrew the nipple with no luck. I haven't tried anything more than a quick attempt with a nipple wrench, no heat etc yet. It's going to fight me, I can tell. I'm already bouncing ideas around in my head during my meditative draw filing session.

I'm looking for a bit of advice... There's a very high chance the nipple is going to get trashed getting it out, and then, as the maker etc is unknown, God only knows what thread it is. Am I right in assuming there's no standard thread?
My thoughts are to get the nipple outta there with extreme prejudice and re tap to something I can easily get; I see Track Of The Wolf has standard thread nipples. If things go sideways, I'm thinking I can fill in the hole with a tig welder and redrill and tap. Is that an OH MY GOD DON'T DO THAT! contingency plan? Any reason it can't be done?

 

[Ashcroft]

A lot here depends on what you are trying to accomplish. You mention restoration and I'm sure you understand that the most value is in highest ORIGINAL condition, your drawfiling has already taken that away. If your goal is to have an attractive representative piece, then a modern minor part like a nipple won't be out of place. In any case if your original nipple is truly stubborn it will likely be damaged beyond repair in removing it. A good machinist can duplicate any measurable thread and make you a new replacement nipple, just as would have been done 150-200 years ago or the hole could be drilled out and retapped for a modern replacement. If your intention is to have a "restored" shooter, just do what works as long as it's safe.

 

[Oddbawl]

Yeah this isn't a high value peice, and the pitting was pretty extensive. There isn't even a mfg's name on it. I didn't make the decision to refinish lightly, but it's worth more to me as a finely finished working pistol than a rust bucket.
I'll see where it goes as far as nipple extraction, I guess I've got options depending on how ugly it gets...