Percussion Cap Pistol
A percussion cap pistol is a nineteenth-century firearm relying on a percussion lock, sought after for its mechanical ingenuity and military history.
Percussion Cap Pistol
A percussion cap pistol is a nineteenth-century firearm designed around the percussion cap ignition system that superseded flintlocks. Buyers searching for a percussion cap pistol encounter various forms, including pocket pistols, belt pistols, and military issue revolvers.
The pieces on this page span the nineteenth century, with strong representation from the eighteen-fifties and eighteen-sixties. Military service arms, British and American martial issues, and civilian pocket models dominate the selection.
Revolvers by Colt and Adams appear alongside single-barrel and double-barrel belt pistols and sea service arms. Accessories such as powder flasks often accompany the firearms.
How they were made
Makers utilised steel, iron, and brass for barrels, frames, and lock mechanisms to withstand the pressures of black powder discharge. Stocks and grips were fashioned from dense hardwoods such as walnut, oak, and mahogany.
Fitted components included sliding rear sights, hidden triggers, and folding bayonets on specific belt and military pieces. Boxes for revolvers frequently featured fitted interiors lined with velvet.
Percussion Cap Pistol Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for percussion cap pistol among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature nineteenth-century military and civilian pieces incorporating steel, brass, walnut, and mahogany.
What varies in quality
The standard of a percussion cap pistol depends upon the crispness of maker stamps, government issue marks, and matching serial numbers across components. Complete sets including original fitted boxes and accessories elevate specific examples.
Finish retention on metal parts and the integrity of checkering or grain on wooden grips separate standard field pieces from higher grade officer and presentation models.
Colt·Deane Adams and Deane·George Sherwood·Tower
The Percussion Cap Pistol Glossary
- Percussion cap
- A small metal cup containing fulminate of mercury placed on the nipple of a firearm to ignite the powder charge.
- Smoothbore
- A barrel lacking rifling inside, common in certain military officer and sea service pistols of the period.
- Calibre
- The internal diameter of the barrel bore, determining the size of the ball or bullet fired.
- Nipple
- The small cone over which the percussion cap is placed, channelling the flame into the powder chamber.
- Match
- The correspondence of serial numbers stamped across various metal parts of a revolver to prove original assembly.
Percussion Cap Pistol: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I load a percussion cap pistol?
Powder is measured down the barrel followed by the lead ball, sometimes seated using an integrated or separate loading lever.
A percussion cap is then placed firmly onto the nipple before the hammer is cocked for firing.
Were these pistols used in the Civil War?
Many nineteenth-century military models, particularly Colt revolvers, saw active service during the American Civil War period.
U.S. martial issue stamps and specific serial numbers help indicate military deployment.
What is the difference between a pocket and belt pistol?
Pocket pistols are smaller, often featuring folding triggers to prevent snagging in clothing.
Belt pistols are larger, heavier variants equipped with belt hooks or mounted holsters for military or civilian carry.
How should I display my pistol?
These firearms are best kept in stable indoor environments away from direct sunlight and excessive humidity.
Original fitted boxes provide safe storage and display for revolvers and their accompanying accessories.