Replacement nipple for hand-made derringer

BurkGlocker · April 19, 2012, 10:12 AM

I have a hand-made, double-barrel, black powder .25 cal derringer that was given to me by my father. Over the years, the nipples have been beaten down by numerous dry-firings by my two younger brothers

, and I am having a difficult time trying to locate replacement nipples for it.

Unfortunately, the thread is not a common one, 10-24 pitch, as opposed to the more common thread pitches found on other BP firearms. I found, online, some that were made by CVA, product code AC1491, but after contacting them through e-mail, I was told that I couldnt be helped by them, and was given another lead that also fell through.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Burk

Doc Hoy · April 19, 2012, 10:20 AM

First of all, that is a nifty set. Very interesting.

I looked around a bit and did not find 10-24 nipples. 10-24 is mighty small.

You might bave the nipple hole enlarged to accept a standard size nipple if there is room in the receiver.

You might also have a set of standard nipples cut down and threaded for 10-24.

Interesting project.

arcticap · April 19, 2012, 01:14 PM

If you need a custom nipple, there's a reputable custom nipple manufacturer named Blomquist Percussion Works in Indianapolis, IN that can make them.
The problem is that his website has been down for a long time, and prior to that his website had the wrong phone number and email address.
So now he has probably let his website lapse.
He is still in business making nipples, but there have been different phone numbers reported to contact him.
The last one that was reported is confirmed to still be one of his by reverse lookup as of today.

317-706-0712 reported on 7/18/11

Quote:

317-706-0712 Ronald S. Blomquist

317-706-0712

3177060712, 317-7060712

2025 E 110Th St, Indianapolis, Indiana

http://www.allareacodes.com/reverse-...ctory/317-706/
http://pipl.com/directory/phone/stre...dianapolis/IN/

Smokin'Joe · April 19, 2012, 02:16 PM

I like Doc's idea. File down the threads on another nipple and cut the proper size threads with a 10-24 die. I know that's what I would try first.

Doc Hoy · April 19, 2012, 02:39 PM

If you can get the nipples out and can get a good photo of them, I will try making a couple and sending them to you.

I want to verify you really mean 10-24. That sounds awful small.

Andy Griffith · April 19, 2012, 04:47 PM

If I am correct, that CVA part number that you gave is for nipples with 12x28 thread if my old catalog is correct- which would not fit the gun.

BurkGlocker · April 19, 2012, 04:49 PM

Doc,

I was surprised at the size of the nipple threads myself, but verified to be 10-24, (mic'd, pitch gauged, tap run through tapped holes in pistol, etc.). This is one small firearm, about the size of an NAA .22LR, and all of the parts were hand-made, even the nipples.

I will see what I can do about getting a photo of the nipples on here ASAP..

Thanks,

Burk

BurkGlocker · April 19, 2012, 04:50 PM

Andy, the photo of the packaging that I found listed the part number as AC1491 and even had a 10-24 description on the packaging....

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedi...-cva-148953957

Burk

BurkGlocker · April 19, 2012, 05:16 PM

Here are some pics of the nipple in question... my apologies for the focus, I had to use my phone to take the photos...

Burk

Smokin'Joe · April 20, 2012, 07:34 AM

The fuzzy photo of the nipple looks to me like it could be reused by cleaning up the damage with a file or stone. The thread end could be carefully chucked in a variable speed drill and turned at slow speed while holding a stone against the cone. Protect the threads with a short section of rubber hose or even electrical tape. I have cleaned up many nipples with this technique.

Doc Hoy · April 20, 2012, 07:53 AM

You have a coupla options.

It appears that if CVA still carries the nipples used in the original, I might be worth while just getting a coupla those.

I am going to try turning down some nipples this morning. I anticipate some problems getting them to chuck up properly and once complete they might be too long. The ones in the photo appear not to have a shoulder and this makes them appear a good bit shorter than the standard nipple I would begin with. Overall length of the nipple would be helpful.

And finally the easiest thing is to try to smooth up the nipples you have. That is assuming they are not too short not that they have been peened over by dry firing.

Doc Hoy · April 20, 2012, 08:29 AM

Made one and took two photos.

Note that the threads do not go all the way to the shoulder. That might create and interference problem.

The overall length of this nipple is .475.

Smokin'Joe · April 20, 2012, 09:13 AM

WOW! Good work, Doc!

Doc Hoy · April 20, 2012, 10:34 AM

....If I can only do it twice!

(I assume Glocker needs two nipples.)

Doc Hoy · April 20, 2012, 11:13 AM

....finished.

Need address.

Tanker6 · April 20, 2012, 12:00 PM

You "handy" craftsman-type guys continue to pi$$ me off.....

I stand in awe, sir.

T6 a/k/a Chickahominy Charlie

Doc Hoy · April 20, 2012, 12:47 PM

Nothing to be in awe of. The machine did it.

Tnx,

arcticap · April 20, 2012, 01:32 PM

If Doc Hoy's nipples aren't adequate, you can also ask Deer Creek Products, Waldron, Indiana if they have any. They bought all of CVA's parts when they went out of the sidelock business.
They're phone number is 765-525-6181.

BurkGlocker · April 21, 2012, 04:25 PM

Thanks, Doc, for taking time to modify those nipples for me. I am looking forward to seeing how they perform on the pistol. I personally have never fired it, and my Dad has only once, but its something that him and I have been wanting to do together for some time. As far as I know, maybe only 25 of these have been made, making it rare, indeed, but I am of the opinion, if you have it, you gotta shoot it at least once.

Thank you everyone for the replys and leads on where to find/modify these nipples. I knew it was probably going to be a 'shot-in-the-dark' trying to locate this obscure thread but what better place to ask than on TFL. With all of the collective knowledge that many of you possess, there's no way I couldnt have asked y'all.

Thanks again,

Burk

April 19, 2012, 10:12 AM	#1
BurkGlocker Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2008 Location: Sheppard AFB, TX Posts: 568	Replacement nipple for hand-made derringer I have a hand-made, double-barrel, black powder .25 cal derringer that was given to me by my father. Over the years, the nipples have been beaten down by numerous dry-firings by my two younger brothers , and I am having a difficult time trying to locate replacement nipples for it. Unfortunately, the thread is not a common one, 10-24 pitch, as opposed to the more common thread pitches found on other BP firearms. I found, online, some that were made by CVA, product code AC1491, but after contacting them through e-mail, I was told that I couldnt be helped by them, and was given another lead that also fell through. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Burk

April 19, 2012, 10:20 AM	#2
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Wow First of all, that is a nifty set. Very interesting. I looked around a bit and did not find 10-24 nipples. 10-24 is mighty small. You might bave the nipple hole enlarged to accept a standard size nipple if there is room in the receiver. You might also have a set of standard nipples cut down and threaded for 10-24. Interesting project. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

April 19, 2012, 02:39 PM	#5
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Tell ya what... If you can get the nipples out and can get a good photo of them, I will try making a couple and sending them to you. I want to verify you really mean 10-24. That sounds awful small. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

April 19, 2012, 04:47 PM	#6
Andy Griffith Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Macon Co. NC Posts: 591	If I am correct, that CVA part number that you gave is for nipples with 12x28 thread if my old catalog is correct- which would not fit the gun. __________________ Barney Fife: "Nip it, nip it, nip it!" Andy Griffith:"Oh now Barn'...."

April 19, 2012, 04:50 PM	#8
BurkGlocker Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2008 Location: Sheppard AFB, TX Posts: 568	Andy, the photo of the packaging that I found listed the part number as AC1491 and even had a 10-24 description on the packaging.... http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedi...-cva-148953957 Burk Last edited by BurkGlocker; April 19, 2012 at 04:58 PM.

April 19, 2012, 02:16 PM	#4
Smokin'Joe Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2010 Posts: 211	I like Doc's idea. File down the threads on another nipple and cut the proper size threads with a 10-24 die. I know that's what I would try first.

April 19, 2012, 04:49 PM	#7
BurkGlocker Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2008 Location: Sheppard AFB, TX Posts: 568	Doc, I was surprised at the size of the nipple threads myself, but verified to be 10-24, (mic'd, pitch gauged, tap run through tapped holes in pistol, etc.). This is one small firearm, about the size of an NAA .22LR, and all of the parts were hand-made, even the nipples. I will see what I can do about getting a photo of the nipples on here ASAP.. Thanks, Burk

April 19, 2012, 05:16 PM	#9
BurkGlocker Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2008 Location: Sheppard AFB, TX Posts: 568	Here are some pics of the nipple in question... my apologies for the focus, I had to use my phone to take the photos... Burk

April 20, 2012, 07:34 AM	#10
Smokin'Joe Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2010 Posts: 211	The fuzzy photo of the nipple looks to me like it could be reused by cleaning up the damage with a file or stone. The thread end could be carefully chucked in a variable speed drill and turned at slow speed while holding a stone against the cone. Protect the threads with a short section of rubber hose or even electrical tape. I have cleaned up many nipples with this technique.

April 20, 2012, 07:53 AM	#11
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	I'm with Joe You have a coupla options. It appears that if CVA still carries the nipples used in the original, I might be worth while just getting a coupla those. I am going to try turning down some nipples this morning. I anticipate some problems getting them to chuck up properly and once complete they might be too long. The ones in the photo appear not to have a shoulder and this makes them appear a good bit shorter than the standard nipple I would begin with. Overall length of the nipple would be helpful. And finally the easiest thing is to try to smooth up the nipples you have. That is assuming they are not too short not that they have been peened over by dry firing. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

April 20, 2012, 08:29 AM	#12
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Here is what I came up with.... Made one and took two photos. Note that the threads do not go all the way to the shoulder. That might create and interference problem. The overall length of this nipple is .475. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

April 20, 2012, 09:13 AM	#13
Smokin'Joe Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2010 Posts: 211	WOW! Good work, Doc!

April 20, 2012, 10:34 AM	#14
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Now..... ....If I can only do it twice! (I assume Glocker needs two nipples.) __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

April 20, 2012, 11:13 AM	#15
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Second nipple is..... ....finished. Need address. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

April 20, 2012, 12:00 PM	#16
Tanker6 Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 193	You "handy" craftsman-type guys continue to pi$$ me off..... I stand in awe, sir. T6 a/k/a Chickahominy Charlie

April 20, 2012, 12:47 PM	#17
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Tanker Nothing to be in awe of. The machine did it. Tnx, __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

April 20, 2012, 01:32 PM	#18
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	If Doc Hoy's nipples aren't adequate, you can also ask Deer Creek Products, Waldron, Indiana if they have any. They bought all of CVA's parts when they went out of the sidelock business. They're phone number is 765-525-6181.

April 21, 2012, 04:25 PM	#19
BurkGlocker Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2008 Location: Sheppard AFB, TX Posts: 568	Thanks, Doc, for taking time to modify those nipples for me. I am looking forward to seeing how they perform on the pistol. I personally have never fired it, and my Dad has only once, but its something that him and I have been wanting to do together for some time. As far as I know, maybe only 25 of these have been made, making it rare, indeed, but I am of the opinion, if you have it, you gotta shoot it at least once. Thank you everyone for the replys and leads on where to find/modify these nipples. I knew it was probably going to be a 'shot-in-the-dark' trying to locate this obscure thread but what better place to ask than on TFL. With all of the collective knowledge that many of you possess, there's no way I couldnt have asked y'all. Thanks again, Burk