Replacement nipple for hand-made derringer

B

BurkGlocker

New member
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 :mad:, 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

benadaderringer2.jpg

Benadaderringer.jpg
 
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.
 
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

317-706-0712 Ronald S. Blomquist

317-706-0712

3177060712, 317-7060712

2025 E 110Th St, Indianapolis, Indiana

http://www.allareacodes.com/reverse-phone-directory/317-706/
http://pipl.com/directory/phone/street/E 110th St/Indianapolis/IN/
Click to expand...
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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

0_IMAG0153.jpg

0_IMAG0152.jpg
 
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.
 
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.
 
Here is what I came up with....

Made one and took two photos.

Nipple1.jpg


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

NIpple2.jpg


The overall length of this nipple is .475.
 
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.
 
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. :p

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
 
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