stuck nipple

[tankboots]

have an 1809 prussian rifle,dated 1825 on brass butt plate. was converted to percussion i assume in 1843, the date on underside of barrel, barrel in real good shape , the nipple not so. question is how do you remove a 180 year old nipple . thank you for any help

 

[Grimord]

Soak the breech end of the barrel with the nipple in kerosene for a day or so, then when dry place the end of the barrel with the nipple in a chest of ice for 1/2 hr, then gently fit the nipple wrench and give it a few light taps. Hopefully, the nipple will turn. May have to repeat the procedure a few times.

 

[Mulebrain]

I use a small socket that fits over a square nipple and a Alan wrench to turn it.

 

[SDSmlf]

have an 1809 prussian rifle,dated 1825 on brass butt plate. was converted to percussion i assume in 1843, the date on underside of barrel, barrel in real good shape , the nipple not so. question is how do you remove a 180 year old nipple . thank you for any help

Might want to start by confirming the gun isn’t loaded.

 

[nit wit]

Soaking it in kerosene, should ruin any powder in the breech!
Nit Wit

 

[kyron4]

Soak in Kroil or 50/50 acetone/ATF

 

[necchi]

have an 1809 prussian rifle,dated 1825 on brass butt plate. was converted to percussion i assume in 1843, the date on underside of barrel, barrel in real good shape , the nipple not so. question is how do you remove a 180 year old nipple . thank you for any help

I have the same problem, mine is a Potsdam 1832 with a 1838 conversion stamp.
I have tried soaking that thing in everything that is supposed to loosen locked/seized threads! Everything! From day's to weeks even months.

I have read,, but have not tried,, Super heat.
Guy's will MIG weld a nut to the nipple with low enough voltage and feed to have the "weld" be a slow process,, not a "zap" but a slow melt.
The process is two fold, that super heat in the isolated area will cause some separation of the threaded section of the nipple and it's breech,, and, the nut left in place gives grip for a proper socket wrench to apply torque. A Six point fit, is better then that square.
Supposedly done quickly while things are still hot.
(so I have read)
I've not tried this, always being afraid of what any "weld spatter" might do to the surrounding barrel/breech.
The project has languished, life got in the way

 

[#blackpowderbill]

Drill it out

 

[11Bravo]

What I did
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/jb-weld-to-the-rescue.157155/

 

[holzwurm]

taking apart an old rifle from the 50's when liqued products didn't do the job I used a small tourch and heated the screw. They all came out after that

 

[andy52]

Drill it out

I've done this before when all else fails, try oil, heat and possibly cold first before the cutting tool comes out.

 

[bpd303]

Soak in Kroil or 50/50 acetone/ATF

Yep...best penetrating oils ever. Never had a failure to work on the hundreds of old guns I've worked on. Except for one where some idiot welded the nipple in.