please help identify this kind of gun

mizzenmatt · August 4, 2011, 06:33 PM

Dear all,

I am working on an English translation of an historical document in Thai (about turn-of-the-20th-century bandits) in which they refer to different kinds of guns like Mausers, Colt Lightning, etc. One kind is called a "cap gun" in Thai. It is pictured on this page: http://www.weekendhobby.com/gun/webb...n.asp?ID=11101

What can I call this kind of gun in English?

Thanks so much!
Matt

armoredman · August 4, 2011, 06:39 PM

The pictures of the primer looks similar to the Maynard tape priming system of Civil War era. Its'a percussion lock firearm, but with using tape primers, but I doubt it was meant for use with them. That's the Thai printed language? Fascinating alphabet.

Pahoo · August 4, 2011, 06:39 PM

Percussion side lock muzzleloader ....

The "action" of a Muzzleloader is commonly defined by the lock. In this case, it's a Cap-Lock or percussion unlike a flintlock. The caps look simular to roll caps and indeed, some have been used for the spark ignition to the main charge. ...

Be Safe !!!

Microgunner · August 4, 2011, 06:39 PM

percussion cap.

Jim Watson · August 4, 2011, 06:54 PM

It is a percussion or "cap and ball" muzzleloading shotgun.
The hammer hits a percussion cap on the "nipple" to fire the charge.
I don't see any sign it is or was a Maynard or other tape primer system.
I am not familiar with caps blister packaged in red as shown in one of the pictures; but the powder, ball, and smaller shot are appropriate.

Pahoo · August 4, 2011, 07:11 PM

It was common to see many M/L's being practically cobbled together, in the south pacific. They made them out of practically anything they could get their hands on. Most were very crude, effective and some, downright dangerous. They were killing tigers, deer as well as neighboring tribes long before any major wars. From some of the homemades I've seen, this one is fairly advanced. .......

My father brought back one of these from the Philippine Islands. It was a shotgun that supposedly belonged to a head hunter and was well used. ....

Be Safe !!!

mizzenmatt · August 10, 2011, 08:42 PM

thanks, everyone! This is a great help.

James K · August 11, 2011, 04:32 PM

The gun shows no indication of having or ever having any kind of tape primer mechanism. I have seen those sheets of caps; they are not meant for feeding through any kind of Maynard priming mechanism, caps are cut out with scissors and placed on the nipple. (Saves using expensive copper for percussion caps!)

I would call the gun a percussion gun (shotgun, rifle, whatever). "Cap gun" would be accurate except that the term in American English means a child's toy gun using caps with small charges to make noise.

Jim

August 4, 2011, 06:33 PM	#1
mizzenmatt Junior Member Join Date: August 4, 2011 Posts: 2	please help identify this kind of gun Dear all, I am working on an English translation of an historical document in Thai (about turn-of-the-20th-century bandits) in which they refer to different kinds of guns like Mausers, Colt Lightning, etc. One kind is called a "cap gun" in Thai. It is pictured on this page: http://www.weekendhobby.com/gun/webb...n.asp?ID=11101 What can I call this kind of gun in English? Thanks so much! Matt

August 4, 2011, 06:39 PM	#3
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Muzzleloader Percussion side lock muzzleloader .... The "action" of a Muzzleloader is commonly defined by the lock. In this case, it's a Cap-Lock or percussion unlike a flintlock. The caps look simular to roll caps and indeed, some have been used for the spark ignition to the main charge. ... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing. Last edited by Pahoo; August 4, 2011 at 06:44 PM.

August 4, 2011, 06:39 PM	#4
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	percussion cap. __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

August 4, 2011, 07:11 PM	#6
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	More than one way to skin a cat !! It was common to see many M/L's being practically cobbled together, in the south pacific. They made them out of practically anything they could get their hands on. Most were very crude, effective and some, downright dangerous. They were killing tigers, deer as well as neighboring tribes long before any major wars. From some of the homemades I've seen, this one is fairly advanced. ....... My father brought back one of these from the Philippine Islands. It was a shotgun that supposedly belonged to a head hunter and was well used. .... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing. Last edited by Pahoo; August 5, 2011 at 12:16 PM.

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August 4, 2011, 06:39 PM	#2
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,295	The pictures of the primer looks similar to the Maynard tape priming system of Civil War era. Its'a percussion lock firearm, but with using tape primers, but I doubt it was meant for use with them. That's the Thai printed language? Fascinating alphabet.

August 4, 2011, 06:54 PM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,531	It is a percussion or "cap and ball" muzzleloading shotgun. The hammer hits a percussion cap on the "nipple" to fire the charge. I don't see any sign it is or was a Maynard or other tape primer system. I am not familiar with caps blister packaged in red as shown in one of the pictures; but the powder, ball, and smaller shot are appropriate.

August 10, 2011, 08:42 PM	#7
mizzenmatt Junior Member Join Date: August 4, 2011 Posts: 2	thanks, everyone! This is a great help.

August 11, 2011, 04:32 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The gun shows no indication of having or ever having any kind of tape primer mechanism. I have seen those sheets of caps; they are not meant for feeding through any kind of Maynard priming mechanism, caps are cut out with scissors and placed on the nipple. (Saves using expensive copper for percussion caps!) I would call the gun a percussion gun (shotgun, rifle, whatever). "Cap gun" would be accurate except that the term in American English means a child's toy gun using caps with small charges to make noise. Jim