At the end of last year, it seemed like there was a huge issue with people trying to find percussion caps.  And rumors floating around that they would never make anymore or that they were stuck in a warehouse somewhere waiting to clear customs.

I know that some members of our unit were able to get them in bulk in time for Cedar Creek last year.  And it seemed like they were there in plenty for that event..

So have the flood gates opened and are caps available or is this going to be a yearly rumor as we get closer to the end of the year..

Greg,

From what I understand, the German company had an internal plant problem (fire maybe)which slowed them down.  At Perryville, the word was that they were back up and in business again.  Not really sure though, except I did see them available at the Nashville show in December.

Here in centeral Pennsylvania, there was no shortage, what so ever, as far as I know. Every shop that carried them in Gettysburg had them and still has them. The sporting goods stores where I always purchase mine always had stock. Now there was a time when,(or so I herd), retail supplies became short and wholesalers were waiting for shipments. I think it was all much a "doo doo" about nothing.

In regard to giving credit where credit is due. Caps were in very short supply around the time of the Cedar Creek Event. The Regimental Quartermaster got in a shipment just prior to the event. That was an opportunity for some heavy duty price gouging; but, Mr. Lomas sold them for his regular retail price. As far as I know, he was the only sutler on site who had the standard four wing caps for sale.      

Just an update to the subject. I was told several months ago that Navy Arms was out of the business, this is apparently not true as many vendors had both the German and Navy Arms this past weekend at Brooksville.

I got two tins (well plastic really) of 4-wing German caps from Blockade Runner last month.  I'm not sure if they still have them in stock though.

BTW, I checked yesterday.  Blackade Runner still has caps listed on their site.  If anyone needs any they are $11.95 for 200.  Though some of you are sayig you get them for $9.00.
http://www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catpg7.htm

Sadly I can't find them at that price round Cleveland.

Hmm,

I was buying the 4 wing German caps at Bass Pro the past 4-5 years.  They only cost me $5.80 last season for 200.

Thanks for the replies.  Most of the guys in our unit bought 1000 of them last year at Cedar Creek, so we should be covered for the next year.

Was just curious as to what the latest news was on these or if this would become like the standard end of year rumor..

Mr. Salem -

You may want to check out the Log Cabin Shop over in Lodi. Seems I remember buying sleeves of 1000 way back in the day for $30-odd bucks.

I made a stop out there in December.  At the time they only had the 6 wing caps.  Because of the "shortage" I guess everyone bought up the 4 wing ones.  I'll be going back out soon to yse the firing range (have to test the '61 Springfield I bought).  Maybe they'll have some in.  

I think, as far as caps go, I'll pick some up whenever I find them, as opposed to waiting till the last minute, and running the risk of finding bubkiss.  

--Last edited by TheBaldYankee on 2007-01-26 07:35:07 --

I just returned from Gettysburg. Every Sutler has 4 wing brass caps, both Navy Arms and the German variety. And, plenty. All were $14.99 or more though.

Too bad no one makes 4 winged copper caps.

Quote :

GrumpyDave wrote : Too bad no one makes 4 winged copper caps.

Dave,

I'm afraid if they made 4 winged copper caps, you'd have the same problems tha occur with the six wing caps. Copper is much more malleable than brass and is subject to be sheared off by a misaligned hammer that catches the edge of the cone. Before it became an issue, I used the six wing caps for years and never had a problem. I still use them for live firing. Of course, the hammers on my weapons hit the cone dead center and flush.

As an aside the caps used during the Civil War must have been really hot. One of the training excerises discussed in the Target Practice Manual, published in 1862, was to shoot at a lighted candle, placed three or more feet from the muzzle of the weapon. Our caps will move grass at a three inch range.

   

Bill, that is definitely an interesting test.

Dave, what a rip off!

There is a very interesting article obout the Percussion cap shortage in the Fall issue of "The Watchdog", written by Craig Barry. It seems the shortage is over, and both Navy Arms and Dynamit-Nobel (the German caps) are avalible again.

Interestingly enough, he mentioned that a likely problem with the six wing CCI caps is misaligned hammers and cones.

   

Gents -- my first post on this forum, and I'm using it to re-open an old thread.

I've spent some time poking around the web looking to see what happened to Dynamit-Nobel, and its chemical divisions (but not plastics) seem to have been sold off to Rockwood Holdings of Princeton, NJ.  Nothing on their website says anything about percussion caps.  Seeing as how the last post in this thread was a few months ago, does anyone have anything newer about caps?  I'm glad to hear that they were available but the last time I checked they were not in my home town gun store, which stocks almost anything you'd ever need gun & ammo-wise.

Sundry vendors are still advertising stocks of RWS caps, but does anyone know who is manufacturing them?

thanks
Ron Myzie

Ron, I was just at my supplier (Bass Pro) and they still don't have them even though they are available.  I'm starting to get frustrated.

Ron,

Geo. Lomas has plenty of them, and some NOS Navy Arms caps. Bring your nitroglycerine tablets when you see the price. Grumpy was not kidding.

Howdy y'all! The percussion cap shortage, imho, is over. I purchase powder and caps for my company and haven't had any problems this year. Last fall, I  played the old buddy, old pal card and procured a large supply for my unit to tide us over. It felt almost like some sort of drug deal...lol. When my powder supplier called me in Feb. with the good news that a shipment had arrived, I felt confident for this year. I ordered 25 tins of the German caps just in case. Hey, I'm a hoarder and it is my job to see the men have ammo. I was at the Florence SC event last month and all sutlers had both German and Navy Arms caps. $13 per tin or $45 for a 5 tin sleeve. I buy for my company through Deer Creek Products for $38.50 per 5 tin sleeve for the German caps. This cost is minus the Hazmat shipping. My best advice would be to shop around for the best price you can find and go together with your pards and buy in bulk.

I have never had a problem with getting either Black powder or caps in 2006.  I think it created a panic buy, by some.  I ended up with over 1k of caps and 10 pounds of powder in various grades, that I use.  Course I come from a state thats known for black powder hunting.