Issuing percussion caps

[BritReenactor]

Hello all

This is probably something that I should know, but I do not and it's always bugged me. How were percussion caps issued in the field? How many were carried at one time? Ok, the second one is more academic, but would they fill the box up before a campaign or take forty caps with forty rounds etc.?

[Jimmayo]

Re: Issuing percussion caps

12 Percussion wrapped in paper were included in each pack of 10 rounds. Very seldom are tins of percussion caps recovered from camps but some have.

[Pumpkinslinger]

Re: Issuing percussion caps

Exactly, each arsenal pack had a tube that included 12 percussion caps along with 10 rounds.

[lwtaggart]

Re: Issuing percussion caps

Folks,
If not mistaken, the CS soldier was actually issued 14 caps per arsenal pack due to the failures rate being issued. Someone with more knowledge on this may want to chime in but, I seem to recall having run across this in research.
George Taggart

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[BritReenactor]

Re: Issuing percussion caps

Well that explains that question. Thanks for the help!

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Issuing percussion caps

Left column, second from top shows wrapped caps.


If I did this right, you'll see a pic up there ^^^

[john duffer]

Re: Issuing percussion caps

On a total side note I once rammed a pack of caps during a somewhat stressful moment at an LBL event and wonder if anyone has ever seen a reference to this happening for real.

[Sackcoat]

Re: Issuing percussion caps

While I have not read of an actual occurrence the odds are it did happen. "Given the accounts of ramrods being left in barrels and extra rounds loaded in the heat of battle" I can see where a pack of caps might accidentally be loaded, especially by "green" soldiers.

I make it a habit to "gently squeeze" each round to insure I'm not grabbing a pack of caps by mistake before loading. At events where packs are collected for distribution I don't include caps in my arsenal packs for obvious reasons.

[Josh]

Re: Issuing percussion caps

No but I inadvertently shot left handed and cap burned my eye.

[KevinBarnes]

Re: Issuing percussion caps

The first thing I do is put the caps in the cap pouch so I don't drop and lose them

While I have not read of an actual occurrence the odds are it did happen. "Given the accounts of ramrods being left in barrels and extra rounds loaded in the heat of battle" I can see where a pack of caps might accidentally be loaded, especially by "green" soldiers.

I make it a habit to "gently squeeze" each round to insure I'm not grabbing a pack of caps by mistake before loading. At events where packs are collected for distribution I don't include caps in my arsenal packs for obvious reasons.