Using Older CVA #11 Caps in Blue Container

[longcruise]

I have some tophats that are 45 years old and are good.

 

[necchi]

I haven't had a chance to try them but I think they should still go bang.

They are "cap's",, use them.
If they Do Not work,, throw them away.
Nobody else but you, will know if they will work or not.

 

[Jacobcp23]

I have a dozen containers of old caps, various makes, that I ran across the other day when I was going through some of my gear that my dad put in the garage back in 1977. I'm firm on the date since I went to boot in 1977. Best I can remember I started buying caps about 1973. I had placed them in a sealed bag inside a ammo box. I tested a few and they all went off.
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The tins that they all come in are very cool looking. I noticed people are selling the empty tins on eBay all the time.

 

[longcruise]

The tins that they all come in are very cool looking. I noticed people are selling the empty tins on eBay all the time.

Yeah, dang cap shortage.

 

[hanshi]

I have a few #11 & #10 along with some musket caps from the late '60s & early '70s. Whenever I use them they perform perfectly. As long as they have not been abused they will outlive you.

 

[satwel]

If I were you, I would test them to see if they are corrosive. An acquaintance once handed me an old, full tin of caps that someone had given him. It didn't even occur to me that they were old enough to be corrosively primed. I fired two caps to test a percussion rifle I was building at the time. When I went to remove the lock the following day, the nipple and surrounding area had already corroded. I quickly swabbed and oiled the bore and cleaned off the rust on the nipple, barrel exterior and hammer. Luckily, only 24 hours had elapsed.

 

[user 48702]

If primed with gray primer they are most definitely corrosive. I always clean whether testing or firing an actual charge. Guess it's an old habit from back when all were corrosive.

 

[Hawk54]

If primed with gray primer they are most definitely are corrosive. I always clean whether testing or firing an actual charge. Guess it's an old habit from back when all were corrosive.

These are primed with gray primer. Thanks for the information.

 

[stephenprops1]

The caps still work great but has anyone ever figured out what the plastic "tins" are good for? They are bound to have some useful purpose.

I put grease, Crisco or Bore Butter in some old cap boxes and carry them in my possibles bag. It makes it easy to grease/lube a patch when needed.

 

[Eutycus]

I put grease, Crisco or Bore Butter in some old cap boxes and carry them in my possibles bag. It makes it easy to grease/lube a patch when needed.

I've thought of that and wonder how you guys up north can open the lid and "grease" up with gloves on.

 

[n.h.schmidt]

They are corrosive and powerful. If you clean soon and well you will be ok. It's about like using Pyrodex.If you clean well enough for that you will be good with these. The home made caps using the Prime-all are the same way.

 

[Kansas Jake]

As others mentioned they are likely corrosive but I used them for several years in the late 70s with no I’ll effect. Just thoroughly clean the barrel, nipple channel and nipple in a timely manner after use. I still have the revolver and TC Hawken that used them and they are still in good but well used condition.