For any further questions, or clarification, please email sales@henrykrank.com or telephone 01132569163. Any load data posted on this site is safe in my guns. Recharging primers is now, again, a thing. The percussion cap or percussion primer, introduced in the early 1820s, is a type of single-use percussion ignition device for muzzle loader firearm locks enabling them to fire reliably in any weather condition. It’s nice to see these two guns making meat in this era of plastic-stocked inlines. The differences in average scores between the two are significant. Percussion continues today as an enthusiast’s hobby, it is now long obsolete, though this is not to suggest it is not fun to shoot! Just because flintlock guns were the best you could have for over two hundred years does not mean it was a perfect mechanism. Lyman Great Plains Hunter. The Lyman Great Plains Hunter rifle is very similar to their Great Plains … This simple, convenient, and more self-contained method of ignition paved the way for repeating firearms such as Colt’s single action revolvers, military rifles, and target rifles manufactured up until the very late 19th century. View Cart / Checkout Wish List Login You have 0 item s in your cart. These are original antique muzzleloaders that are made by individual gunsmiths or small manufacturing concerns, usually prior to the era of mass production, but sometimes well into the mid-19th century. If so is it verry little or a lot of difference in group size Tnx Jim The hot gases from the burning priming charge travel through a small flash hole drilled through the side of the barrel to ignite the main powder charge. Yes I said flint lock someone had swapped the percussion cap system out for flint lock. The shooter must still be vigilant to ensure no double load or air gap, but with diligence, the practised hand can accurately fire a round every two minutes. At Forsyth’s request, a series of flintlock vs. percussion cap tests were conducted in 1834. Percussion rifles are still very capable, guns such as the .451 Whitworth rifle is capable of 1000 yard shooting, and is probably a more accurate rifle than the shooter. The most vital problems were: 1. Prior to 1826 all trappers and mountain men were armed with flintlocks. antique flint & percussion guns - "blackpowder" "muzzle-loaders", etc: Original hand made flintlock & percussion ("cap & ball") firearms . Flintlocks are the way to go.. One less ignition system relying on expensive caps and laws controlling them!! If you haven’t seen or read Sharpe, give it a go, it’s now on Netflix. The Model 1840 U.S. musket was the last flintlock … Percussion Lock. Excellent article Keith!! Projectiles for black-powder firearms vary to include traditional patched round balls, modern saboted copper-­jacketed and solid-­copper-tipped projectiles. A flintlock weapon like the Brown Bess would be unusable in rainy or humid weather; the gunpowder to fire it being exposed to the moisture. It takes away the frustration that flintlock can sometimes have, and is the easier foray into the world of muzzle loading. The trick to shooting flintlock guns, along with any guns really, is consistency, and with careful loading and consistent practise, this can be achieved, and flintlock guns can be made to shoot very well. It is more restraint to weather, can be faster to load, and because it generates a hotter flame than a flintlock can it offers more reliable ignition with powder of questionable quality or substitute black powder. The main instigator of German unification was the Kingdom of Prussia. When the trigger is pulled the cock is released to move forward and down, the sharp edge of the flint scrapes the steel frizzen, simultaneously opening the pan and throwing a shower of hot sparks into the priming charge. Dixie Gun Works 1412 West Reelfoot Avenue Union City, TN 38261. Email Me The percussion cap offers some advantages over the flintlock. Summer time on a river bottom woods walk with flint, cap and ball. It can make usable percussion caps from aluminium drink cans and cap gun roll caps. The percussion cap offers some advantages over the flintlock. For pistols (revolvers included), substitute rifle for pistol. You are responsible for knowing what may or may not be a safe load for your gun. Is It Cheaper To Buy .38 Special Factory Ammunition, Or To Reload Your Own With Bought Or Cast Bullets? For more information on buying, and the use of particular muzzle loading guns, please see the blogs below. Some might argue the process is long and laborious, but this is part of the joy of shooting muzzle loading guns. The hammer has uncocked, half-cocked and fully cocked positions just like the flintlock. Gun Parts: for flint, percussion, & early cartridge guns. Unlike the Brown Bess, the U.S. Army weapons were not only rifles but were fired by the percussion cap system rather than the flintlock system. The lock time on flintlocks is slow, as two separate detonations take place, this means a lot of lead is required to hit clays consistently. It is more restraint to weather, can be faster to load, and because it generates a hotter flame than a flintlock can it offers more reliable ignition with powder of questionable quality or substitute black powder. This style percussion lock utilizes a drum which is a hollow, threaded tube. Check out this design blueprint for our Indian Charleville Musket... Muzzle Loading Flintlock Rifles & Shotguns, Muzzle Loading Percussion Rifles & Shotguns, Lee Enfield Military Surplus Rifles Now Available. Results for the flintlock; 922 misfires (1 in 6.5 attempts), and for the percussion cap; 36 misfires (1 … JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Im looking at a Lyman Deerstalker in percussion cap. Percussion caps were readily available in St. Louis by 1830. The frizzen would not fail to spark during humid conditions. some place it is cap or flint only, some must have iron sites, others if you are shooting muzzle loaded weapon you are good, I have both a cap and ball and an inline, Percussion cap is a TC renagde in .54 deadly to 125yds (2.5 inch groups) TC Encore .50 inline with scope can shoot to 250yds (2.5 inch groups) When the trigger is pulled, the hammer strikes the cap, igniting the chemical which sparks through a hole in the nipple into the main charge in the barrel, firing the gun. Here is an example of the patent breach percussion system. The channel from the nipple to the powder charge is contained in the breach plug that threads into the end of the barrel. Absolutely disgraceful. Percussion fell out of favour with military and commercial markets in the late 1860s – early 1870s, as fully self-contained cartridges became more viable. Loading flintlocks can be more frustrating than percussion. There were several variations of percussion ignition systems developed in the early 19 th century, but the invention of the percussion cap around 1820 brought about the first significant change to firearms ignition since the invention of the flintlock. For new shooters, looking to get into muzzle loading guns, I would recommend a percussion gun first. The nipple is threaded into the drum. But we have plenty of Lee Enfields. As a non-scientific example, in our club, we shoot for a flintlock clays competition, and a percussion competition separately. In this case, the flintlock cock has been removed and a new hammer was installed at the time of conversion sometime in the 19th century. Hi All, Im about to purchase my first muzzleloader!! One such was the German Nation. For new shooters, looking to get into muzzle loading guns, I would recommend a percussion gun first. Thinking of buying a tang sight for your Pedersoli rifle? This means that you will see the flash and then there will be a noticeable amount of time before the gun goes off. It was a Pedersoli Kodiak Safari in .72 Caliber. This creates a channel from the nipple to the powder charge inside the barrel. The percussion lock is exactly the same as the flintlock in terms of the mainspring, hammer, tumbler, sear and sear spring. A good flintlock w/ clean touch hole and proper frizzen and hard flint is entirely as fast as percussion..Not dependent on iffy capps and the unavailability of such.. When choosing a muzzle loading pistol or rifle, probably the biggest decision to make, is whether to buy a flintlock gun, or percussion. As nouns the difference between flintlock and percussion is that flintlock is an early type of firearm, using a spring-loaded flint to strike sparks into the firing pan while percussion is (countable) the collision of two bodies in order to produce a sound. It takes away the frustration that flintlock can sometimes have, and is the easier foray into the world of muzzle loading. A portion of the powder charge will fill this chamber in the breach where it is exposed to the flame from the exploding cap. As mentioned previously, flintlock is onerous and unreliable in comparison to percussion, so is not terribly well suited to general muzzle loading competitions, but I would argue it is just as fun, if not more so, to shoot. So you could perhaps chalk up time differences to that and to training, as well as he isn't going for speed. Reproduction of a target pistol, of Central European style, with simple and essential lines. An expedient method of getting some more life out of a blunt flint is to tap the striking surface with a penknife blade, chipping off small pieces of flint and bringing the edge back to a useable condition. This gives percussion significant advantages over flintlock in pretty much all shooting disciplines. The percussion ignition system was more weatherproof and reliable than the flintlock, but the transition from flintlock to percussion cap was a slow one, and the percussion system was not widely used until around 1830. Anyway, assuming the above is the right direction, what should i get..... .50 or .54 cal? There is no need to specify flintlock or percussion. Flintlock development continued with the adoption of the Brown Bess in 1722, which remained in service (with British forces at least) until 1854, a staggering 132 years, before finally rendered obsolete by the percussion system. The face of the breach is not flat as most flintlocks were. Regards Matt 24 November 2015 at 20:32 8. This started out as an EU regulation which is clear not that the UK had no... How many uses beyond 14 do you expect from the brass, if that? Add some to cartor Login. Flint locks are addicting. I do like the fact that there's no need for caps with the flintlock though. Target shooting is less of a problem, though some may argue the detonation of the priming charge may cause some slight wobble and distraction, which is a fair argument, though not really a consideration when shooting recreationally over a fairly short distance. Never load a muzzle loading gun with smokless powder and never exceed the maxium load recommended by the gun's maker. Along with the usual considerations of the correct charge and ball size, flintlock shooters may wish to try different priming powders, or shapes of flint, which can make all the difference in terms of consistent ignition. The advantages of percussion over flintlock are profound. Given how flintlocks are loaded, this kind of competition is a real exercise in concentration and repetition. Percussion lock guns are less complicated, faster to load, have a quicker lock time, and are more reliable. The percussion cap contains a small amount of fulminate of mercury. Flintlocks have a long lock time compared to percussion caps. Percussion rifles are still very capable, guns such as the .451 Whitworth rifle is capable of 1000 yard shooting, and is probably a more accurate rifle than the shooter. Flintlocks and vintage percussion-cap firearms often require a lead ball and patch, while contemporary muzzleloader designs shoot either conical bullets or sabot slugs. And FWIW, a percussion rifle can misfire in damp, humid environments just like a flintlock. This is not to say this is comparably easy as breech loading guns. The advantages of percussion over flintlock are profound. But a percussion cap rifle would fire in any weather. Forsyth revolutionised firearms manufacture in the very early 19th century, and this was quickly evolved into the more convenient percussion lock system (allegedly) by the renown firearms manufacturer Joseph Egg. Competition shooters will wish to use percussion guns, unless the competition specifies otherwise, as the handicap flintlock guns impose on the shooter are difficult to overcome by skill. As with percussion, flintlock is now exclusively the province of enthusiasts and re-enactors, though Soviet forces during the Soviet-Afghan War reported being fired upon by tribesmen, well into the 20th century. Available in flintlock and percussion versions. The drum is threaded into a hole drilled and tapped into the side flat of the barrel. For a muzzle loading rifle, the variation should read ‘Muzzle loading rifle, calibre X’. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. It consists of a sharp flint held firmly in the jaws of the cock. They not only had an aspiration to gather numerous small states of the German Confederation under their rule, but also a desire to build an empire that would dominate the continent. Once the correct powder charge and ball combination is found, a new shooter should be able, with diligence and attention when loading, to put up a respectable group without much bother. The It is essential the flint is decently sharp, and the frizzen sparks well. My .54 percussion Lyman GPR failed me last deer season on a day when it was 'misting' all morning. 2. Shooters new to black powder muzzle loading guns may wish to start on flintlock, if they are prepared to work to achieve good results, it is foolhardy to expect a flintlock gun of any kind to shoot perfectly straight out of the box. The smith I had look it over guesses they used the mechanisms off the double shotgun by Pedesoli. Many flintlocks were converted to percussion using this method. Where adopted, militaries were, until the mid-17th century primarily using matchlock muskets, but developments in arms technology before and during the English Civil War led to the adoption of the doglock musket. The percussion cap ignition system was developed around 1818. seems like an affordable option for my first one, and percussion cap might be easier to get the hang of over flintlock. Here's a video of a guy shooting a percussion cap rifle followed by a flintlock musket. A fresh cap cured it, but it was too late by then. Get the latest information about new products, special deals, news, top-rated items, promotions and more! Unfortunately, your browser doesn't support HTML5 canvas. This cap is placed on the nipple and when struck by the hammer the fulminate of mercury explodes sending a hot flame into the powder charge inside the barrel. It doesn’t matter your experience, the Deerhunter muzzleloader will fit your needs. Percussion firearms did make their way into the mountains but not all the mountain men were quick to adopt their use. The Romantic Era of the early 19th-century was the period when European nations rose up with hopes of making their way onto the political map. I am considering using musket caps lnstead of percussion caps this fall on my .54 for the almost totaly guarenteed ignition. Javelina hunt in the Gila National Forest, Loading a muzzle loading shotgun and smoothbore, Developing an accurate load for a black powder muzzleloading rifle, Dry fire practice without damage to the gun. Upgrading The Sights On Your Pedersoli Rifle, Miniature Slice Of History: Norinco The Mini Mauser, Join Sharpe’s Ranks, Buy Your Very Own Musket, Still slow loading & shooting compared to breech loading guns. Flintlocks aren’t much used outside of flintlock only competitions, as the lock time puts it at a serious disadvantage and handicaps shooters, compared to those using percussion guns. Six thousand rounds were fired under all kinds of weather from six of each type of musket. Here is an original Ketland flintlock musket lock that has been converted to percussion via the drum method. Don't Miss Out on News from Dixie Gun Works! The invention of the ‘scent bottle’ percussion system, using fulminates of mercury, by Rev. Additionally, the improved ignition systems (percussion cap) of the more modern rifled musket was a great improvement over the earlier flintlock systems, allowing soldiers much less chance of misfire…which at minimum forced the soldier to recharge his weapon, and actually could take the soldier out of the battle altogether to find another weapon. Loading from the muzzle is the same, though ideally a separate (finer) powder will charge the priming pan. Flintlock vs Percussion. Given the reliability and consistency of the percussion action over flintlock, percussion guns give new shooters less to worry about and control, there is therefore less to go wrong. There are your choices: flintlock versus percussion, and .50 versus .54. Smokless powder is never a safe substitute for black powder. Flints had to be sharp, otherwise they will not shave metal off the frizzen and create the shower of sparks needed for ignition. I… Hi Andy, no Sten's sadly. The flintlock ignition system came into use during the 1600’s. The flintlock, introduced in France in the early 17th century, was the first method of firing a gunpowder weapon without using a burning match that was suited to mass production (wheelocks having always been prohibitively expensive due to their complexity). That’s as a hundred million additional firearms have been added to the … Deerhunter Rifle .50 cal Flintlock Select Hardwood/Blued We have designed this muzzleloader to be lightweight, easy to shoot and incredibly accurate for a very modest price. The Tap-O-Cap is a tool that was made by Forster. The transition from flintlock to percussion cap is very minor, and many flintlocks were converted. As with all shooting related decisions, it will rest mainly on what kind of shooting you intend on doing. Same for a flintlock vs. cap lock. stevesells1955@gmail.com. The drum system allows easy conversion of flintlocks to the percussion system simply by drilling and tapping the vent hole in the barrel to accept the drum, removing the firzzen and pan from the lock and changing the cock for a hammer. The musket dates from around 1800. The flame created by the cap passes through this channel to ignite the powder charge. Nathaniel Wyeth noted in his journal that in December, 1834 they had converted 3 flintlock rifles to percussion because the condition of their powder was such that the flintlocks would not ignite it. Percussion lock guns are less complicated, faster to load, have a quicker lock time, and are more reliable. RL0805 Tap-O-Cap Percussion Cap Maker. As the lock time of percussion guns is still far slower than breech loading guns, shooting with a percussion gun at either clays or targets can still be a challenge, and loading takes care and attention to detail. He loads and fires the rifle twice in 1m21s, and the flintlock twice in 2m, counting two misfires which took up 15s. With the hotter ,stronger musket cap is there a tradeoff in accuracy compared to a percussion cap? Henry Krank - Everything for Shooters & Collectors, You have no items in your shopping cart. The very earliest form of flint ignited gun was the very complicated and expensive wheellock mechanism, invented around the start of the 16th century (debatably by Leonardo Da Vinci), which used a piece of pyrite held against a spring loaded roughened steel barrel, similar to a cigarette lighter, which required rewinding after each shot. Sure the lock on a flintlock is more subjected to the elements, but that's not the reason to choose a cap lock. It has a chamber, smaller in diameter than the barrels bore, connected at right angle to the channel leading to the nipple. Musket competitions are fun, shooting 13 shots within 30 minutes. More specifically any smoothbore long gun loaded from the muzzle is considered a musket, no matter if it works with a matchlock, a flintlock, wheel lock, or a percussion cap. A flintlock is a musket. I had a unique one years ago I’m sad I got rid of. The flintlock system is one of the earliest ignition methods of guns. Percussion caps have a lock time, but its much less than flintlocks. You could load a cap lock and slip a plastic sleeve around the cap and hunt in pouring down rain, but then you could slip a cow's knee over a flintlock and do the same. Flintlock vs. Percussion ... With the percussion cap, there was no priming powder to blow away or get wet. Loading a percussion gun is as simple as loading the main charge, wad and shot, drawing the hammer to half cock, and placing a percussion cap on the nipple. Our Price: $54.95 Compare. Due to the difficulty and great expense of manufacture, these were only found on very high quality firearms, and were therefore not suitable for military adoption.