doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Very Old Nipples...German SxS

I've been shooting an old Geman made percussion cape gun and have run into a problem with "blow back" through the nipple on the left smooth bore side. I have reduced the amount of black powder from 60 to 40 grains ffg Goex, but am still having the same trouble. I removed the nipple and noticed that the size of the opening is huge when comparing it to modern made nipples. I took both nipples into a local gun shop for hopefull replacement but ran into a brick wall as they had no idea where to find anything with that old thread to match. I know the barrels could be re-threaded to make use of new nips but don't want to mess up this guns original make-up. Does anyone know of a source for nipples for these old German pieces? Or is there another solution other than retireing the gun?

I'm almost certain local shop used to carry black powder catalog from Dixie Gun Works. Is that what this outfit is called? The factor of originality is irrelevant when nobody besides you knows what constitutes an original. This is one of a kind piece made by hobbyist in some Central European household .
PS. It's hard to tell from the pic, but I'm not so sure the thing is say more then pre-WWII vintage.

Jager is correct. http://www.dixiegunworks.com is probably the answer. If they don't have it, possibly they can make it.

Kind Regard,

Raimey
rse

A talented hobbiest can most likely make you a set. Are you able to measure thread pitch and diameter?

Can they be filled and then drilled out to the required diameter?

I think Doug has it. Just make sure you taper the bore so the plug cannot be forced out?

Best,
Mark

Dixie is very good at coming up with odd nipples, pull them from your gun and send them to Dixie for a match. If they don't have them then have someone make one. I had a English rifle with a odd thread and big hole, I set it up in the lathe drilled it out and inserted a sleeve from the bottom, then drilled a new small hole.

First find someone with a set of thread guages and find out whether or not this may be a standard thread size. If it is y ou can now modify a new commercial nipple and be on with your shooting. (Look up a local nuts and bolts supplier - they will have all the guages needed. Then go over to Americanlongrifles.com. The continents foremost in muzzleloading arms are on there and will get you going quickly. One of them very likely will have what you need or offer to make it for you.

I like Mike's suggestion. It preserves a part of the original gun while fixing the problem. As a former machinist, it's also the easiest solution besides buying a replacement.

Should be simple enough to close up the old hole with micro-welding and then re-drilling to an appropriate size(.050-.060". This isn't rocket science. Another source of possible help is The House of Muskets(AKA TRESO), makers of nipples and other ML goodies. 1-800-367-9250