Chain-fires & percussion revolvers.....

[tacfoley]

...how DO they happen? Ever wondered how a flame can escape around a ball that took a deal of effort to seat in the tight chamber, slicing off a little ring of lead in the process and, more often than not, sealed in even more behind a glop of grease?

It doesn't.

It all happens from the back end, as you'll see in this www.muzzleloadingforum.com graphic night-time photograph of what REALLY comes back out of the nipple on firing.

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fu.../post/new/#NEW

Add the combination of loose-fitting caps and worn nipples, and VWALLA!

I have to admit that I've never seen in happen in well over forty years of BP handgunning, but then I ensure that everything on MY guns is good and tight, and most people over here don't shoot
their BP revolvers enough to wear them out the way that some do over there.

However, it's always a good idea to check out any prospective purchase of a second-hand percussion revolver - just in case. A new set of nipples never hurt.

tac

[robpark]

Hmmm, I tried the link & just got a message from the forum "Your permission set does not allow you to be here."

Incidentally, on the subject of chain fires, this was interesting: http://www.geojohn.org/BlackPowder/bps2.html - though I've no idea how valid the argument is

[arsefactor]

Thanks for posting that link Robpar, that was a *very* interesting read.

I thought that a rear chain-fire was caused by the flash setting off a loose fitting primer on the next chamber, rather than getting down the flash-hole where the primer was missing.

[tacfoley]

Thanks for posting that link Robpar, that was a *very* interesting read.

I thought that a rear chain-fire was caused by the flash setting off a loose fitting primer on the next chamber, rather than getting down the flash-hole where the primer was missing.

..And THAT, Sir, is precisely what is demonstrated in my link that, it seems, only I can see. Flash-over from one cap into the adjacent nipple flash-hole channel.

Sorry about that.

tac

[Turnup]

Yes, it happened to the chap standing next to me on our range way back around 1998. Set off the two next chambers (not one either side, two on one side). No one was hurt and no apparent damage to the gun. He only stopped because the cylinder was jammed so he couldn't cock it. We were all beginner muzzleloaders then. He was using Pyrodex, no filler and no wad. We put it down to no wad. He continued shooting with wads like the rest of us and none of us have had a repeat experience since. Now I have heard various theories regarding is it ignition via the chamber mouth or the improbable loss of a cap followed by ingress of blowback through the fired nipple. Can't think of a way to determine which is more likely, or are BOTH possible? Dunno other than to point out that using wads seemed to correct the problem - or just lucky.

[lilguy43uk]

Mr Tac speaks with great knowledge and experience. You should take note of what he says.

[enfield2band]

Thanks for posting that link Robpar, that was a *very* interesting read.

I thought that a rear chain-fire was caused by the flash setting off a loose fitting primer on the next chamber, rather than getting down the flash-hole where the primer was missing.

This is what I have seen. My comments have been posted previously about this happening.

Several years ago I was stood next to someone firing a revolver, all the nipples had caps on them. I saw the flashover go from one nipple to the next when he fired the first shot and all remaing five shots fired off.

All my friend could do was hold the gun away and hope for the best. Me, I thought it looked great and watched it! With hindsight I should have dived for cover.

Thankfully the gun did not burst. Two of the balls tried to get out of the sides of the frame and bent it outwards, which probably relieved the pressure on the confined cylinders.
The pressure bent the cylinder pin and the gun was write off.

I have never greased the balls on my revolver and I know a few other people who don't either. When you fire the gun the grease on the adjacent chamber is blown out and not as effective as you think at sealing the chamber.

[tacfoley]

Mr Tac speaks with great knowledge and experience. You should take note of what he says.

Your cheque is in the mail.

I didn't know we were related!

Best

Uncle Tac

[airgunnut]

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/...ps74851314.jpgthis is one of the pics of my pistol, you can see the flame out of the back of the cylinder

[tim56]

Great photos airgunnut, really shows not only how a flame can jump across the nipples but the potential for real harm by holding the gun wrongly. ATB, Tim.

[tacfoley]

http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/...ps74851314.jpgthis is one of the pics of my pistol, you can see the flame out of the back of the cylinder

'zackly so!

THIS nails it for me - a pic you can ALL see!

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthre...85#post2989885

tac

[lilguy43uk]

Your cheque is in the mail.

I didn't know we were related!

Best

Uncle Tac

Cheque received.

[martindl99]

Nice pic. Is it my imagination or is the hammer in the cocked position?

[tacfoley]

Nice pic. Is it my imagination or is the hammer in the cocked position?

Nossir - it is actually rebounding off the nipple as often does happen......

tac

[slowcoach]

Urban myth?????

More chance of winning the lottery! Sounds like a camp fire story to me.

Load of row locks in my opinion, has anyone GENUINELY witnessed such a mystic event??

Bit like hearing down the pub a blokes mate's neighbours car used to back fire and scared granny's cat into fouling the rhubarb patch, but only on a Sunday if it was damp.

Pish and tosh