Resurrecting an original English rifle. Nipple frozen Patent breach clogged. Help!

LawrenceA · Nov 23, 2024

Hi Guys
I have a circa 1840's-50's Blanch 69 cal backlock percussion rifle I would like to get going if possible.
The barrel is/was full of crud. I cannot budge the nipple and the patent breach is blocked.
I have tried heat and oil as well as good vigorous tapping.
Any advice on clearing the obstruction and/or loosening the nipple?
Thanks in advance

andy52 · Nov 23, 2024

There are times when drilling them out is the only way. If you don't have a drill press don't try it by hand.
Use a bit just slightly smaller than the thread size, and pick the remaining threads out with a small steel pick. Chase the threads, and you should be good to go.

LawrenceA · Nov 23, 2024

andy52 said:
There are times when drilling them out is the only way. If you don't have a drill press don't try it by hand.
Use a bit just slightly smaller than the thread size, and pick the remaining threads out with a small steel pick. Chase the threads, and you should be good to go.

Tah mate. Am hoping to avoid that. How do you anneal it without overheating the breach? Actually probably soft enough

andy52 · Nov 23, 2024

I'm not sure what you mean here, are you saying heat from the bit?

French Colonial · Nov 23, 2024

LawrenceA said:
Tah mate. Am hoping to avoid that. How do you anneal it without overheating the breach? Actually probably soft enough

A heat gun will not overheat the breech, stay away from propane, Mapp etc.

Use a good penetrating oil, heat the breech, put a nipple wrench on the nipple and tap it a few times with a small hammer, let cool with penetrating oil on the nipple. Stick it in the freezer for a few hours, repeat all of the above.

The expansion and contraction at different rates will eventually loosen the threads.

Get a high-quality socket and modify it to fit the nipple and use a ratchet to turn.

These work well
https://www.acmetools.com/craftsman-impact-tool-set-cmmt14104/S0000000081286.html?msclkid=1d16df7f33711812a8cab83ef5e65352&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping-National-Search Only-Profit Margin Target-33-35&utm_term=4581527534201723&utm_content=Profit Margin 33% - 35%

andy52 · Nov 23, 2024

French Colonial said:
A heat gun will not overheat the breech, stay away from propane, Mapp etc.

Use a good penetrating oil, heat the breech, put a nipple wrench on the nipple and tap it a few time with a small hammer, let cool with penetrating oil on the nipple. Stick it in the freezer for a few hours, repeat all of the above.

The expansion and contraction at different rates will eventually loosen the threads.

Get a high-quality socket and modify it to fit the nipple and use a ratchet to turn.

These work well
https://www.acmetools.com/craftsman-impact-tool-set-cmmt14104/S0000000081286.html?msclkid=1d16df7f33711812a8cab83ef5e65352&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping-National-Search Only-Profit Margin Target-33-35&utm_term=4581527534201723&utm_content=Profit Margin 33% - 35%

I have one of those tools if the nipple is really rust welded they don't have enough impact strength.
The cold method does work sometimes I keep a can of liquid nitrogen for that.

Sam squanch · Nov 23, 2024

Your best tool is patience! I wouldn’t heat the breech , you never know who put what down there, could be a bunch of nitro powder . Soak in kroil or homemade penetrant oil , 50 /50 acetone and transmission fluid, you could probably use a heat gun on it , but I wouldn’t use a propane torch. I’ve had horrible looking barrels that the plugs came out easily, I’ve had new looking barrels that the plugs were almost impossible to remove. Heat , soak, maybe put in a freezer, may take months but it will come out.

R Ellis · Nov 23, 2024

Evaporust

LawrenceA · Nov 23, 2024

andy52 said:
I'm not sure what you mean here, are you saying heat from the bit?

Hi Andy. Was thinking the nipple would be hardened and need annealing.

andy52 · Nov 23, 2024

LawrenceA said:
Hi Andy. Was thinking the nipple would be hardened and need annealing.

If you have to drill out the old nipple it will need to replaced so annealing wouldn't be an issue.

French Colonial · Nov 23, 2024

andy52 said:
I have one of those tools if the nipple is really rust welded they don't have enough impact strength.
The cold method does work sometimes I keep a can of liquid nitrogen for that.

That is true, however I meant using it several times during the heat/cold cycle.

Relic shooter · Nov 24, 2024

Soak breach & nipple area 24hrs in a 50/50 solution Acetone & auto transmission oil or brake fluid, 'not synthetic type oil or fluid'.

Resurrecting an original English rifle. Nipple frozen Patent breach clogged. Help!

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Resurrecting an original English rifle. Nipple frozen Patent breach clogged. Help!

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