Nipple placement on direct nipple to barrel guns(mule ears and such)

[JQuigley]

I’m planning out a few builds for the next few months and was wondering about placement of nipples on guns where the nipple threads directly into the barrel instead of a drum like on Mule ears and the converted 1836 pistols. Can someone tell me which layout is more appropriate or if there’s a better way I didn’t think of? I’ve included a rough diagram of the two ways I could think of doing it. One in front of the breech and one through the plug itself. Thank you!

 

[smokepolehall]

I am thinking the nipple in front of BP is the correct way. Both of my UnderHammers are that way.

 

[JQuigley]

I am thinking the nipple in front of BP is the correct way. Both of my UnderHammers are that way.

That’s what I figured too. I don’t have a UH anymore or I’d double check myself. But I know people swear by having vent holes going through the breech plug into the center of the bore on flintlocks so I wasn’t sure.

 

[2 shots]

your lock placement should determine where it needs to be.. i think?

 

[smokepolehall]

Very tough to clean a channel through the BP & at an angle to boot.

 

[Grimord]

Both of my Mule ear guns have the nipple located just in front of the end of the breech plug.

 

[Mulemauler]

I build a lot of mule eared target rifles and always place the nipple about 1/4" in front of the breech face. Cleaning is easy that way but a long flash channel would cause fouling issues and hard to clean.

 

[ronaldrothb49]

Have done Mule Ears and Underhammers with the nipples slightly in front of the breech plug. My question on the second model through the breech plug you would need to drill a straight section for the nipple then how are you going to drill the rest of the way through the breech plug at an angle? You could drill a chamber into the breech plug and then drill the nipple straight into that chamber.

 

[okawbow]

I put the nipple just ahead of the breech plug. The nipple must have threads the length of the barrel thickness to work properly. You can get those different length nipples from track of the wolf.

 

[wganz]

My bias is from experience with flint->percussion conversions of ACW muskets.
All that I've seen or read about were done with the methodology shown in the top diagram.