Correct nipple size

[Strawstalker/NM]

I have a 1851 Colt Navy. It is an original made in 1863-64 serial number #170XXX. It is in great shape except the nipples - as it has three different lengths. It has not ever been shot with the current mix of nipples as four were too long for the pistol as there was not enough space for a cap. I have trimmed & tapered all four of the long nipples to the length of the two shorter nipples (as they fit and look to be old). The cylinder Now has space to turn with caps on. I did notice the two short nipples have rounded bottoms and are not cut flat as all the nipples for my modern muzzleloader have. I loaded and fired several rounds of caps - all is well. I want to order a new set of nipples for this old pistol. The current nipples take a #10 cap and appear to have standard (not metric) thread. What say you fellows on the Forum - original, 1851 Navy,.36 cal. - what is the correct nipple size and threads & where can I purchase some? Thanks in advance for your reply's. Dan Bromley, The Strawstalker

 

[pargent]

If it were mine I would leave it alone and buy a $200 reproduction to shoot and mess with that !

 

[azmntman]

Take one out n send to TOW and insure and make sure they insure sending it back and they can probably match it up.

 

[Zonie]

The old Dixie Gunworks catalog says there are two nipples that were used by the old original Colt pistols.

Both of them used #12-28 (.216-28 UNF) threads and there was a short nipple and a long one.

The guns made for the USA used the short nipples.

Track of the Wolf should have these for sale.
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/807/1

On these old original guns, it's hard to say what has been done to them over the years.
It's possible the holes for the nipples were re-threaded to a different size so it is a good idea to take one of the nipples that fits down to an hardware store or a auto parts store.
They can measure the threads and tell you exactly what you have before you order the wrong size.

 

[Strawstalker/NM]

Zonie:

Thanks for the response. I had planned to take out the nipples and run them to the hardware store on Tuesday to verify the threads. As I said in my post the gun had 4-nipples that were too long and 2-shorter ones that looked more correct to the pistol. These 2 shorter ones were also domed at the bottom instead of being flush like all of my other nipples. I have shot black since 1976 and never seen any nipples like these.

I will check with both sources either Tuesday or Wednesday and see what is in stock.

Thanks for your help. Dan Bromley