Ultimate 1858 Capper?

Started by Bobby Twoboar, April 01, 2008, 10:50:50 PM

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Bobby Twoboar

Would appreciate advice on current wisdom when it comes to cappers for 1858 Remingtons.  I have several types but none are ideal.  I would like to find a type that's easy to load, (doesn't allow caps to flip over or sideways) and also fits nicely into the "capping cutout" on the 58 cylinders.

I was looking at one that Cabela's carries the shape of which reminds me of a Bota goat-skin wine bottle but thought I'd ask here first.  It's supposed to hold 100 pistol caps.  Anybody have any experience with this one or have any better suggestions?

Thanks.   
Bobby Twoboar
SASS# 59200

NRA Life
ISRA Life
USMC: 1959-63
Amer. Legion Post 2910

Pettifogger

No capper currently made fits "nicely" into the capping cut out on 58 cylinders.  Your best bet is to open the cut out so you can use any of the cappers currently on the market.

hellgate

I've got 5 cappers of various makes & designs and even the Ted Cash capper wasn't that great til I modified it. Now 4 of 5 will fit the Remingtons. Here's what I did:
On the cheapo cappers I used to get from McGees that went for about $4 (single spring) I ground off the lip of the spring to where it just held the cap flush with the spring and no overhang beyond the cap. I also ground back the corner of the brass housing on the opposite side to shorten it and put a taper in it so that the brass only just supported the cap but didn't stick out beyond it. For the Ted Cash capper, I just ground off the lips of the springs as before so the capper could be inserted deeper and it works fine. The TC capper is a weaker design and the brass backer bends easily so I actually prefer the generic cappers that have a 90 degree brass support of the cap and will not bend during a fit of anxiety while capping on the clock. The cheap cappers hold the cap like on a piece of angle iron where the TC is like on flat band iron. I've even considered epoxing a small nail or something to strengthen the TC's tip but figured I'll just take it easy with it. You need a grinder or a stone and some extra time to fix the cappers for Remingtons.
For the Colts just about any in-line capper will do. But the "Remington modification" makes them faster.
As for the teardrop cappers, I keep dropping caps out of them and losing caps in the gravel at the range. When they work, they work well for Colts only. I only use the teardrop capper when loading off the clock. During a timed reload (i.e. you merely cap a charged revolver) if you get a cap that turns sideways YOU ARE SCREWED because you cannot just shove it out of the way as with an in-line capper.
I keep an in-line capper and a nipple pick on a cord through my vest button hole or in a bib overall pocket for on the clock "reloads".
"Frontiersman: the only category where you can shoot your wad and play with your balls while tweeking the nipples on a pair of 44s." Canada Bill

Since I have 14+ guns, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of Cap&Ball. Now, that's a COMPLIMENT!

SASS#3302L
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Wolverton Mt. Peacekeepers
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Bobby Twoboar

I've attempted to "modify" a few in-line cappers myself.  It just seems that after all this time the Remington reproductions (and originals for that matter) have been available, someone would have marketed a capper that would work just fine right "out of the box."  It certainly seems there's a vacant niche out there they'd fill.

Yankee Ingenuity, where art thou?
Bobby Twoboar
SASS# 59200

NRA Life
ISRA Life
USMC: 1959-63
Amer. Legion Post 2910

kurt250

twoboar, i don't know about the 58, i don't have one. but i use the capper you described on my 2nd gen. colts . there the only one i use because they seem to work the best. kurt250

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