Snap Cap "Primers"

[Patrick Butler]

I am looking for a source of snap cap targets, 'primers" or whatever you call that bit of hard plastic.

I have an all-original cased 20 gauge 1930 Brit SXS with a complete cleaning kit and maker's snap caps. The "primer" just fell out of one of the caps and when I emailed the gun maker in London, they quoted me 117 Pounds Sterling (plus shipping) for maker's caps-and they were ebony, not the nickel finish of the originals. I just replaced then with some nice metal ones, but would, as you would imagine, like to use the originals.

I have read that later (top lever) Parkers do not need snap caps, but I would never assume that for this gun, or any other, for that matter.

These caps are well made and the replacement would be very easy if I can just find that bit of hard plastic-a small black cylinder 21/32 " long that drops down in size to protrude and mimic a 20 primer. Behind the plastic is a spring in good condition and a well-machined brass slotted plug. There are some great plastic fabricators here in Silicon Valley, but I can see the look on their face when I bring in this little order.

Any suggestions for finding a replacement would be appreciated. I found nothing for sale after spending way too much time on the internet.

Patrick Butler
Palo Alto, CA

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Patrick Butler

I have read that later (top lever) Parkers do not need snap caps, but I would never assume that for this gun, or any other, for that matter.

Actually, that applies only to hammerless Parkers. I wouldn't chance dry-firing a Parker hammer gun.

[Big D]

Certainly not elegant, but I have used pencil erasers for the job

[Patrick Butler]

Originally Posted by John Dallas

Certainly not elegant, but I have used pencil erasers for the job

An interesting idea, but I can feel the founding gunmaker turning over in his grave...

Your suggestion does bring up an interesting point- if you want to imitate the resistance of a live primer-over many years, what type of plastic should you use? The black plugs on my old caps are very hard, but that may very well be a factor of age and I doubt they had most plastics in 1930.

I'll bet there is a real (read mechanical) engineer out there who can calculate the properties of a live primer. My guess is that the result will be a compromise, starting a bit hard and moving softer over the years. In other words, you should replace snap caps "caps" on guns that need then every few years.

I'll visit a local plastics company next week and see what they can do.

Thanks for your replies,
Patrick

[OH Osthaus]

i wonder if the original inserts were horn- horn striker blocks were common.

[Patrick Butler]

Originally Posted by Rick Losey

i wonder if the original inserts were horn- horn striker blocks were common.

I bet you are right as there was not much plastic about in 1930.

[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by Patrick Butler

I bet you are right as there was not much plastic about in 1930.

when I used to do re-enacting - one of the craftsman that made horn products used to call horn the plastic of the 18th century

he made spoons, combs, boxes all out of cow horn by heating it and molding

the British and more so the continental makers used buffalo horn for striker boxes, buttplates, and even trigger guards.

by the 1930, gutta-percha was in use, but i think that would have been to brittle for snap caps,

i do not have any buffalo, but if you want to try your hand at fitting a set in solid black cowhorn, i should be able to find some scraps you can try it with

[Bill Murphy]

Delrin or nylon should work equally well. One may crater more than the other, or maybe neither one will crater. It's been so long since I worked as a machinist, I can't remember the specific properties of each. Google them.

[Kensal Rise]

Suggest you contact Toby Barclay at Heritage Guns in the UK. He makes repro snap caps of his own from old Damascus barrels, and may be able to help you at a more reasonable price. Toby also attends the Vintager events here in the US. His website:

www.heritageguns.co.uk

[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by John Campbell

Suggest you contact Toby Barclay at Heritage Guns in the UK. He makes repro snap caps of his own from old Damascus barrels, and may be able to help you at a more reasonable price. Toby also attends the Vintager events here in the US. His website:

www.heritageguns.co.uk

now those are just too cool- and my wife just finished Christmas shopping

so- guess I'll just have to shop for myself