Collars for caps?

[tacotime]

I think I saw these in an old Gun Digest black powder book - a kind of collar that goes over the cap on the nipple. I think it was a safety measure? Not sure. Are these still in use? And what benefits?

Thanks.

[kenjuudo]

I beleieve they were advertized as a weather proofing device. May have some in a junkbox.

jim

[pietro]

I use them when hunting during inclement weather.

The devices are called "cap guards", and they are what amounts to short sections of small diameter plastic tubing that slips over the cap at the juncture of cap edge & nipple, to help seal out moisture.
Traditions markets them in bulk packs, along with small balloons for muzzle covers.

https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/9086/10h/origin-d4.scene7.com/is/image/GanderMountainOvertons/402648_L1?$product$

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[ofitg]

I recently experimented with something similar - I cut short lengths of aquarium "air line" tubing (flexible plastic, nominally 0.25" OD and 0.17" ID) and slipped them over the caps on my Pietta 1851 Colt repro.

I did find one significant benefit - the extra girth provided by the plastic collars prevented the fired caps from jumping back over that "shelf" which the hammer rests on - no more cap jams!

http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad336/crawdads/capkpr003er_zpsfac78757.jpg

[Hellgate]

OFITG found an inexpensive cap collar/guard. The black muzzle caps he showed to keep rain & snow out of your muzzle (also called "muzzle mitts" are also available at medical supply houses and maybe even your local pharmacy. They are known as "finger cots" but are whiteish latex. Basically a condom for your finger (or, ahem, an extremely small male appendage) for medical exams or procedures where one finger is used and gets soiled. They were very inexpensive compared to "muzzle mitts".

[DCP]

Thanks for this info
I have been looking for cap guards and now aquarium "air line" tubing

[Gray Fox]

I, too, just went the aquarium tubing route, and picked up an 8 foot length at Wallyworld for $1.72. GF

[quilbilly]

I never go hunting without them in this damp part of the world. They do a couple things - they keep moisture out and they add a little more focus to the flame. Once I started using them, I had very few misfires even in the winter hunting season when 3-4 inches of rain plus sleet a day is common.

[tacotime]

Do we expect these collars to reduce the chance of a flash over at the rear of the cylinder?

[DCP]

I believe so



Do we expect these collars to reduce the chance of a flash over at the rear of the cylinder?