OT: What is a "caplock" gun?

[ruel]

Does anyone know about these kinds of rifle? Are they actual firing weapons, or are they merely those things that just produce a loud "pop" but don't really fire ammunition? And what's their relation to matchlocks?

Thanks in advance,

ruel

 

[mPisi]

I'm a modern guy but here's what I can surmise: Caplock is a blackpowder firearm using a percussion cap (= early primer) instead of a flint to ignite the main powder charge? Matchlock is early BP firearm where the charge was set off by application of a lit match to the powder. Progression in technology was matchlock -> flintlock -> percussion caps -> metallic cartridges

 

[ruel]

Thanks mPisi! I'm trying to get myself educated on old guns, and among the ones I've seen were these, which I thought were matchlocks but was told are actually caplocks.

 

[donutsrule]

Also known as "cap & ball"

The historic progression goes something like this:
Matchlock(~1500s)->flintlock(think Revolution era)->cap&ball(Civil War era, although I think actual pointy bullets, as well as lead balls were making an appearance during the war?)

possible oversimplification and mistakes follow:

Matchlock= a slow-burning match comes down and ignites priming powder in a pan which ignites powder behind the "bullet" aka lead ball

flintlock= no match needed springloaded flint strikes the steel as steel is pushed back to expose priming powder which ignites powder behind musket ball

cap & ball= metal hammer hits small self-contained primer cap sits over nipple leading to powder inside barrel

modern cartridge= metal hammer hits firing pin which hits back of primer pressed into the back of metal cartridge holding both powder and bullet.

 

[Kismet]

I think it's spelled " KePLACK !!!"

And it's a Klingon greeting.


So, I'd guess it's a gun that shoots Klingon greetings.

 

[donutsrule]

Originally posted by Kismet
I think it's spelled " KePLACK !!!"

And it's a Klingon greeting.


So, I'd guess it's a gun that shoots Klingon greetings.

Not to be confused with the Kreplach, which fires giant kosher wontons and chicken soup.

 

[Rusty]

Not only were the cap and ball used for longarms, I believe Sam Colt introduced his Patterson revolver ( 31 caliber or 36 caliber ) as the first reliable multi shot pistol then available.

This was later to be redesigned a Texan as the Walker horse pistol ( too blasted heavy to carry yourself so you hung it and maybe a second pistol on your horse ). Lighter versions with less powder space in the cylinders became the Dragoons, and finally the Colt Army 44. Then in 1872 the Rollin White patent ( held by Smith and Wesson for drilled thru chambers ) ran out and the 44 cartridge Colt open top revolver came out, To be replaced in 1873 by the Single Action Army 45 Colt cartridge.

 

[Sutcliffe]

Had a chamber in front of the lock that contained a rolled up paper/Fulminate of mercury strip that resembled modern cap pistol caps. It operated much in the same way as the toy. However it never proved to be very useful in the field and of the 1855 RM's were altered to the standard Nipple found on all percussion firearms.

 

[hoghead]

Always thought that was the sound a shotgun makes when it misfires(ca-PLOck). Means it's a real good time to check the barrel instead of putting another round in the chamber. (tends to destroy the shotgun)

 

[ruel]

Wow, the weird thing is, I remember an episode of _Star Trek: The Next Generation_ in which Worf and his little Klingon boy are trapped in a hologram program of the Wild West. I don't remember if they used caplocks or revolvers for the gunfights...

Thanks for all the info, guys.

 

[Yvsa]

You can find out more about the progression of firearms [here.

The wheel lock wasn't mentioned by our knowledgable forumites.