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]

Re: 6-wing musket caps?

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]

Re: 6-wing musket caps?

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]

Re: 6-wing musket caps?

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]

Re: 6-wing musket caps?

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 Schmidt]

Re: 6-wing musket caps?

Hallo!

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

Curt

[Mcouioui]

Re: 6-wing musket caps?

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]

Re: 6-wing musket caps?

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.

[Jeremy Bevard]

Re: 6-wing musket caps?

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.]

Re: 6-wing musket caps?

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]

Re: 6-wing musket caps?

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]

Re: 6-wing musket caps?

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]

Re: 6-wing musket caps?

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]

Re: 6-wing musket caps?

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]

Re: 6-wing musket caps?

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...