6-wing musket caps?

[Dutchman Dick]

Did 6-wing musket caps exist in this country during the Civil War? And if so, were they used by either side in any quantity? I ask for 2 reasons: first, because that's all I seem to be able to find in the local stores (though I could order them online); and second, I saw some in a group of excavated relics for sale on Ebay, though since they came from a battlefield, for all I know they could have been dropped by reenactors. I know that some reenactment groups have banned their use during events supposedly because they have had problems with fragmentation (I haven't run into this problem myself).

[Mcouioui]

Others will confirm, but for me the answer, is not, for what I know, it is a modern invention for sportsman firing, 6 wings...

[Andrew Kasmar]

Hi,

I have some original caps, and they are all 4 wing. But that being said, I really do not know if there were other types.

[LibertyHallVols]

I know of no original 6-wing musket caps. However, I can confirm the fragmentation of the CCI copper 6-wing caps. You will find that the awareness of this issue is nearly universal and they are banned from most events.

It is a shame that some maker cannot make safe, 4-winged caps from copper!

[BrandonEnglish]

I can confirm that all the original caps I own and have seen are all 4 winged. I can also atest to having my neck sprayed upon by 6 wing caps leaving a nice blood stain on one of my shirts.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

The "six wing" caps were designed to power the modern "in-line" ignition systems.

Curt

[Mcouioui]

I agree, they are effectively more dangerous and anyway, to having had practice 2 years sportsman firing, 6 are a modern invention for the sportsman (Easier to remove) now when they were invented, I do not know, I would say 20th century...

[Dutchman Dick]

Thanks! Like I said, I haven't run into the fragmentation problem myself...yet. I HAVE noticed that the 6-wing caps tend to blow out into a "star" shape, flattening as far as the hammer-nose cavity on my Enfield will allow them to go.

Any recommendations on who makes decent 4-wing caps, and who to order them from? I don't have gas money to travel to any events right now to buy them there (funds are currently tied up in my Enfield defarb! :D), so online ordering is my only option for the present time.

[pvt_jb]

I have been hit with a piece of cap from a 6 wing myself. No blood but it stung. The other problem with them is how loud or sharp they are when fired. Because of this I find the 6 wings when fired next to my head actually hurt my hearing.

Now, where to buy the German caps. I don't remember the name since I am at work. However, I believe Blockade Runner will ship them out. I know Fall Creek only sells then at events now. I have found them at two small local gun shops in southeastern Michigan. I just had to keep my eyes open.

[ACo.]

Hallo!

The "six wing" caps were designed to power the modern "in-line" ignition systems.

Curt


Herr Schmidt is correct, the 6 wing caps are meant to open up more on firing so that the used cap is easier to remove from the cone. This is necessary for some of the modern junk (ooops, sorry, I meant inline) firearms since the cone is located in a tight space. AFAIK, they six wing caps are about as correct as an inline at a reenactment and they can be dangerous due to fragmentation. Do your best to find 4 wing caps.

[Mcouioui]

I have been hit with a piece of cap from a 6 wing myself. No blood but it stung. The other problem with them is how loud or sharp they are when fired. Because of this I find the 6 wings when fired next to my head actually hurt my hearing.

Now, where to buy the German caps. I don't remember the name since I am at work. However, I believe Blockade Runner will ship them out. I know Fall Creek only sells then at events now. I have found them at two small local gun shops in southeastern Michigan. I just had to keep my eyes open.



That's right?
http://img122.imageshack.us/my.php?image=capsid9.png

[Cfarrell]

I've had two pards hit by fragments. One took a chunk in the neck and another got one right above the eye. Another half an inch shorter and he probably would have regretted going to that event.

I really don't like to see these little boogers at events.


Regards,

[Dutchman Dick]

Is Navy Arms currently selling their brand of caps? I know a couple years ago they were talking about bringing them back. Otherwise, looks like the RWS caps are the only "real" choice as far as safety goes. Also looks like the RWS musket caps come in 2 flavors: flanged, and flangeless (another modern version?). Too bad CCI can't be petitioned by a majority of re-enactors to start making OUR kind of musket caps...

[Charles Heath]

Is Navy Arms currently selling their brand of caps?

Yes, in actual tins (not plastic) and in excellent availability for at least the past 18 months.

[Dutchman Dick]

Yes, in actual tins (not plastic) and in excellent availability for at least the past 18 months.

Okay, so who carries them? I can't find a link on N.A.'s website, just links to their guns. Their website used to be so much more diverse...:confused:

[Abrams]

http://www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catpg1.htm Under each model of gun are a list of accessories including musket purcussion caps in the #11 size, 4-wing caps. They come in a plastic case from the manufacturer.

http://www.jarnaginco.com/catframe.html About half way down the page is item #7011 percussion caps for muskets. They also come in a plastic case from the manufacturer.

You can get a tin container with a good repro lable from either one to carry caps in. Personally, when I roll cartidges, I just roll up a couple extras with caps and make sure I have some extras already in my pouch so I have 10-20 more caps than I need so if I drop a few, its no worry

I have bought caps from both of them, and they both are a pleasure to do business with. All are the 4-wing variety, size #11 and sized for muskets, unlike the #10 caps you get at Bass Pro shops and such.

[Charles Heath]

Rich,

I'll send you a PM.

[Kace]

It would certianly be worth the time and extra effort to procure the 4-wing caps. Having been on the receiving end of them fraging, you certainly want to make sure not to put your pards through it.

Kace

[Army30th]

Jarnigan has raised the price for their RWS caps by 3.00 per container for 200.

The local gun shop here in Jersey sells caps for 11.95 per container of 100. And I believe they are no longer made in tins of 200, but I could be mistaken.

If you can afford it, you can purchase from the manufacturer at substantial savings, however, you have to order in excess of 25,000.

[J.H.Berger]

The German caps are made by RWS, they make 4 winged brass and 6 winged copper caps, the latter ones having more power.
I have not seen any 6 winged original caps so far but I have not seen so many anyway. The originals I know of were 4 winged copper. Parker Hale was offering these caps but I fear they are not made any more. They really had the correct shape like the originals and were made of copper.

[TheRegularsDrummerCo.H]

I was talking to Tim Sheads at S&S Sutler and says the German Caps are only being made in tins of 100 as William was saying.

[Mcouioui]

We have boxes of 200 and 1000 in plastic box, same my photo :(

[Mcouioui]

By Rougeaud "French Mess"

For information, by 1814 the Americans Prelat and josuah SHAW finalizes the fulminate capsule of mercury which will be adopted by the armies of the world.

source: Le fusil d'infanterie Français (the French rifle of infantry) by CPT. Frank Demarta

[Rob Weber]

Interestingly if anyone takes a look at the book "Collecting the Confederacy" (written by Shannon Pritchard?), take note of the opening page on the Cap Box section.

Nobody is claiming the 6 wing caps that are in the cap box are period as their is no mention that I saw of the caps in any of the copy. But it is neat that the box was evidently used after the war and still survives.

Not knowing anything about the history of 6 wing percussion caps myself I wouldn't venture to say or suppose anything else.

Rob Weber

[Roger Hansen]

I dug 6 wing caps in quantity in Conferderate positions (rifle pits) at New Hope Church, Resaca, and Spanish Fort. Have never found them in Federal positions - only the 4 wing type..........

Roger Hansen

[russ12751]

I have approximately 30 dug caps from Tn, 4 are six wing in my collection.

[Dutchman Dick]

So apparently they ARE authentic, but primarily for Confederates (or maybe Yanks using captured Rebel supplies)?

I sent an email to CCI, by the way, asking why didn't they make 4-wing caps and that their 6-wing caps were a fragmentation hazard on muskets and therefore banned by many re-enactors. The reply I received said that the recipient of my e-mail would pass it on to the engineering department. We'll see...

[coffey]

I have done research on the types of percussion caps the were used and all I have found is 4-wing. The 6-wing caps were modern made for sportsman shooting.

[Dutchman Dick]

I have done research on the types of percussion caps the were used and all I have found is 4-wing. The 6-wing caps were modern made for sportsman shooting.

What about the ones mentioned a few postings ago in this thread that were dug up in Confederate rifle pits?

[Todd Watts]

I would wonder whether or not any found 6-wingers today were not modern caps dropped by some hunter. I have seen 4-wing originals of course as well as no-wing musket caps. CCI makes a very "hot" priming compound for their caps which is really good for setting off modern in-line muzzleloder charges & in this case the fragmentation trait is a plus since it virtually eliminates the possibility in a in-line that is hard to decap or recap of a cap seizing onto the nipple. We of course as re-enactors don't appreciate that trait nearly so much as we dig bits of the caps out of our necks. Not saying there were not any 6-winger caps in the War era, only that I have not seen any either.

[Mcouioui]

I do not absolutely believe that 6 wings are authentic...