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Post by HighCotton on Jan 31, 2015 17:50:09 GMT -5
Well, I'm posting here because I'm looking for any advice from the ingenious and innovative bunch. I've decided to let my Colt 1851 Navy sit since it's been determined that it's unfired and I'm told by 3 gunsmiths that firing it will reduce the value by $150 to $200. Meantime, a friend hooked me up with an old timer (dont know him well, just that he goes by the name "T" who was a Tailgunner on a B-29 in the Korean War). T has been letting me use his 1858 New Model Army for plinking and squirrel hunting. He's even spent the time to help me load it...the only way he has ever loaded it...as his "snake gun!" We loaded the percussion revolver with 15 grains of FFFg and #8 bird shot. He told me I'd need to get a squirrel within 10 to 15 feet to be effective. Well, I can tell ya it did the job at about 10 yards.  So now here's my issue, the old boy has no manual and no nipple wrench. I'd like to clean the gun for him but can't get the nipples out. My 1851 wrench wont fit this gun. Anybody ever try to make one? Or know a cheap place to get a nipple wrench? |
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Post by greghopper on Jan 31, 2015 18:11:17 GMT -5
goggle.... "nipple wrench for Colt 1851 Navy revolver"
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Post by HighCotton on Jan 31, 2015 18:14:57 GMT -5
For an example, here is what the Navy nipple wrench looks like:  Gotcha Greg...was just reading some info on making one from an old socket...Thanks! |
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Post by nfalls116 on Jan 31, 2015 18:16:37 GMT -5
Ask the old man how he did it?
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Post by HighCotton on Feb 1, 2015 8:54:47 GMT -5
Ask the old man how he did it? Unfortunately, the fella has never removed the nipples from the cylinder. He just cleaned the cylinder bores with nipples intact...which of course did not lend to a very thorough cleaning. |
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Post by HighCotton on Feb 1, 2015 9:08:44 GMT -5
So with some insight from the internet, I think I've made a good substitute for a nipple wrench. I took an old 1/4 drive, 7/32 deep well socket and started a center groove with a hack saw. Then, I widened the groove with a triangle file, finishing with a flat file to my caliper readings for the inside and outside diameters. I got one nipple out as it seemed to be the only one loose enough so far. I'll take my time and let the other nipples soak a while with CLP Breakfree before getting carried away. I also see now why a few of the nipples would barely take a cap. My guess is the gun was dry fired in the past, denting a few of the nipples. We'll see how it turns out later today.  |
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Post by nfalls116 on Feb 1, 2015 9:39:09 GMT -5
I figured so.. you might be opening a can of worms taking apart a gun that hasn't been. But the socket idea sounds like a good idea and fun tinkering. Keep us updated!
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Post by stevein on Feb 1, 2015 11:14:09 GMT -5
Congrats on the squirrel. Not many can say they have harvested one with a caplock revolver.
I see you found a solution to your problem, good for you, that is what it takes to shoot these old guns. I have broken a couple of revolver wrenches due to the very thin walls and probably over hardening. Make up another one for backup.
Did the old timer have any idea who did the sights? There were a couple of guys that had accurizing the Remington down to a science. It was popular to take a .36 cylinder and bore the chamber mouth so it was timed to the barrel. They sold the .44 cylinders to CW re-enactors. For me a different set of grips really helped shooting the Rem.
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Post by HighCotton on Feb 1, 2015 17:28:10 GMT -5
Congrats on the squirrel. Not many can say they have harvested one with a caplock revolver. I see you found a solution to your problem, good for you, that is what it takes to shoot these old guns. I have broken a couple of revolver wrenches due to the very thin walls and probably over hardening. Make up another one for backup. Did the old timer have any idea who did the sights? There were a couple of guys that had accurizing the Remington down to a science. It was popular to take a .36 cylinder and bore the chamber mouth so it was timed to the barrel. They sold the .44 cylinders to CW re-enactors. For me a different set of grips really helped shooting the Rem. Good question...I'll have to ask him who did the sights. I bore sighted it and it was pretty good...but then it wasnt to important with bird shot. |
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Post by HighCotton on Feb 1, 2015 17:35:21 GMT -5
After some soaking, the nipples came out just fine. The more I started to inspect the gun, the worse things looked so I broke her completely down and we'll see how well I can clean her up:  |
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Post by nfalls116 on Feb 1, 2015 23:59:12 GMT -5
After some soaking, the nipples came out just fine. The more I started to inspect the gun, the worse things looked so I broke her completely down and we'll see how well I can clean her up: I figured this much. |
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Post by maddog on Feb 5, 2015 8:42:59 GMT -5
hcg, get er cleaned up and shootin' good, and you can bring it to the squirrelpalooza next fall.....  maddog |
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Post by HighCotton on Feb 5, 2015 8:44:29 GMT -5
This has now turned into a pretty cool relationship. I hooked up with T this week to return his gun. He had asked if I could take a look at his old Stevens because he "caint git the dang triggers workin!" I told him I would look at it and wouldn't promise anything. And I cant guarantee I won't break something. He said no big deal...it's broke now. Funny thing is he was so impressed with how I cleaned the Remington New Army that he said to keep it...with the understanding that if he ever wants to go walk the woods with me...he gets to carry it! Can't refuse that deal. I've got the Stevens SxS 20ga broke down and it is soaking for now. We'll see what happens...  |
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