Inline Cappers

Itchy Triggerfinger · March 04, 2010, 12:08:31 PM

Are inline percussion cap cappers period correct?

kflach · March 04, 2010, 01:01:15 PM

That's actually a good question, and one I should have asked when I got started. After reading up on them I started using them for safety reasons (as well as the fact that they make capping go quicker once you've got the hang of using them). However I've never heard anyone say they were period correct. I look forward to seeing the responses to this question.

Tascosa Joe · March 04, 2010, 03:30:39 PM

The only period capper I have personally seen was a circular piece of leather about 1 1/2 inches in diameter with cap sized holes punched around the circumference. It was attached to the strap of a hunting pouch. This was documented to Mario Modino in the Denver Museum of History. The time period was late 1850's as it went with a S. Hawken Rifle.

Trap · March 04, 2010, 05:21:47 PM

the snail shape capper is period correct at least back to the mid 1870s

Patrick Henry Brown · March 04, 2010, 09:32:32 PM

http://sgtriker.com/Swords.htm

Scroll down the page and there is a photo and description of a Civil War "Inline" capper. Perhaps a bit cruder than today's versions, but the same idea.

Mogorilla · March 05, 2010, 07:12:05 AM

Not sure if it was real or fake, but I have seen a colt made percussion capper, supposedly from 1860ish and it is very similar to the Ted Cash cappers. As I could tell, it seemed heavier gauged brass used and a bit shorter, maybe only held 8 or 10 caps, but not much different than the straight cappers. I have not seen a period snail capper, but Colt made a specific capper for the patterson, Dixie sells them. I have not had the pleasure of handling a patterson, real or replica, but I have been told they will only cap the patterson. I would love to see a reference of the leather circle if you have one. I too have seen one, but don't remember where and would like to be able to document their use.

Will Ketchum · March 05, 2010, 09:17:51 AM

In the 70s I worked for Tedd Cash. He had an original snail type capper in his desk drawer. He kept saying he was going to make them. One day a tool and die maker friend of mine showed up at the shop. I took the capper and asked Bob if he could make dies to produce it. he did and I took the prototype to the NMLRA Western rendezvous. I took orders for over 100 cappers and the rest is history.

Will Ketchum

Steel Horse Bailey · March 06, 2010, 12:07:40 AM

Will, that was a great thing you did. Thanks to you from the entire BP shooting world!

Texas Lawdog · March 06, 2010, 01:38:04 PM

SHB, I don't have one of the "snail" type capper, I think I might need one.

Itchy Triggerfinger · March 07, 2010, 04:35:59 AM

I used my inline capper for the first time yesterday at a SASS match. Wow, what a difference. So quick and easy to use.

Steel Horse Bailey · March 09, 2010, 08:14:50 PM

Quote from: Texas Lawdog on March 06, 2010, 01:38:04 PM
SHB, I don't have one of the "snail" type capper, I think I might need one.

Howdy!

L.J., Jed/Dave has one of the T.C. nickle plated ones and has used it with great success. I may have to get one me-ownself!

Will Ketchum · March 09, 2010, 08:51:57 PM

Quote from: Steel Horse Bailey on March 09, 2010, 08:14:50 PM

Howdy!

L.J., Jed/Dave has one of the T.C. nickle plated ones and has used it with great success. I may have to get one me-ownself!

Not nickle plated solid nickle silver (German Silver"

Will Ketchum

Steel Horse Bailey · March 09, 2010, 09:46:31 PM

Oh

I thought I read on the T.C. website that they are plated. For the price I seriously doubt they're real silver - which "German Silver" ain't.

From The Free Dictionary by Farley:

"German silver, a name for various alloys of copper, zinc, and nickel, sometimes also containing lead and tin. They were originally named for their silver-white color, but use of the term silver is now prohibited for alloys not containing that metal. German silver varies in composition, the percentage of the three elements ranging approximately as follows: copper, from 50% to 61.6%; zinc, from 19% to 17.2%; nickel, from 30% to 21.1%. The proportions are always specified in commercial alloys. German silver is extensively used because of its hardness, toughness, and resistance to corrosion for articles such as tableware (commonly silver plated), marine fittings, and plumbing fixtures. Because of its high electrical resistance it is used also in heating coils. It was discovered (early 19th cent.) by a German industrial chemist, E. A. Geitner."

Texas Lawdog · March 09, 2010, 10:43:58 PM

Yessir, I think I need one of them. I got my second 1860 Army last month and a 73 clone in 45 Colt. I'm working on the hammered SXS now.

Steel Horse Bailey · March 11, 2010, 12:14:01 AM

... And Will, I understand what you meant now.

Texas Lawdog · March 11, 2010, 07:47:31 AM

I checked their website and found several types of the cappers. The prices seem reasonable.

Tascosa Joe · March 11, 2010, 11:37:47 AM

Quote from: Mogorilla on March 05, 2010, 07:12:05 AM
I would love to see a reference of the leather circle if you have one. I too have seen one, but don't remember where and would like to be able to document their use.

I will try to find a reference. I have seen the thing in the museum. I am currently working down in Austin and I live outside of Ft Worth. All my references are at home. I will look thru my books and see if I can find it this week end.

T-Joe