what size nipple wrench?

[1911nutjob]

Which nipple wrench do I need to order for my pedersoli howdah (20x20)? I thought I was covered with my revolver wrench, but no workie. I removed the nipples with a cloth pinched in a pair of needle nose pliers for cleaning without buggering them up, but ordering that wrench is on my to-do list.

 

[arquebus]

If the nipples are 1/4x28, 6x1mm, or similar you'll most likely need a standard rifle nipple wrench. There are basically three types of nipple wrenches, revolver, rifle, & musket.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

Exactly what doesn't fit? If the wrench slot is too narrow to fit over the shoulders of the nipple, you can file the slot wider or order a larger wrench. If the outside diameter is too large to fit into the recess you can file or grind down the OD. I often have to modify a wrench to fit a certain nipple in a certain gun. I have about 8 or 10 nipple wrenches because working on a variety of guns I can tell you "one size does NOT fit all". :grin:

 

[Okwaho]

I don't know about your gun but as I recall on a couple of perc. guns I was able to jury rig a nipple wrench by reversing a 1/4" socket from the tools on my bench.

 

[necchi]

Ditto what coyotejoe said,,I've taken a file up against a nipple wrench or two to make them fit.
I had to make one for an H&A Kentucky pistol because of it's breech shape,,it needed a LONG reach to git on the shoulders of the nip

 

[Blizzard of '93]

I bet it's metric. try a metric socket from your 1/4" drive set.

 

[Zonie]

I'm a bit puzzled, but that is normal for me.

Most of the standard nipples I'm fimiliar with are cylinders which have two flats machined onto them.
They are not machined with a 6 point hexagon or even a 12 point double hexagon so I don't see how a "socket" wrench of any kind would work without grinding off two sides of the end of it leaving just two of the original 6 drive flats in it.

Anyway, yes, there are three different sizes of wrenches for nipples. Sometimes, due to the design of the gun I have found nipples with rifle size flats stuck in a pistol size recess and in that case filing out the drive flats on a standard pistol wrench is the only easy answer.

I would think with a gun like the howdah a standard rifle nipple wrench would work.

 

[1911nutjob]

The slot is wide enough, though it could be deeper. The problem is the height of the nipple-it stops the wrench from making contact with the slot, as the center hole isn't deep enough. I could probably change that with some careful drilling, but this wrench is well worn, so I'd rather just order the correct one. The nipples are 1/4x28.

 

[arquebus]

Revolver nipples typically have shorter cones than do rifle nipples, which is why your revolver nipple wrench won't fit down far enough onto the Howdah's nipples. You just need to order a standard rifle nipple wrench.
Another, somewhat related, tip: when you take the nipples out for cleaning etc., dab a little anti-seize paste on the threads, this will make them much easier to remove in the future & will be less strenuous on the wrench. You can buy the anti-seize at an auto parts store.

 

[1911nutjob]

OK, thanks. I was already doing the anti-seize thing, but wasn't sure that it was acceptable practice.