I have brass for a 2nd model Maynard that I have been helping a friend with. We are having problems with ignition of the powder. The plastic cases that he has work, the flash hole is .055". The new brass that he has came with a .020 flash hole. I have enlarged the hole to .055" but still have no ignition . This work was preformed in a lathe using collets, so I know the holes are on center.

My question is. Can anyone tell me the size of the flash hole was on the original? Modern brass use large rifle primers so I know the size of the hole.

Your thought please.

ron

Ron, the original Maynard flash holes were quite small when new- about .034" diameter or so. I have an original percussion sporting gun with a platinum lined flash hole and it has not eroded much if at all and it is in the mid-.030's. They are hard to measure, I don't have pin gages or drill bits that small.

The holes in the cases were about the same size. When I repair burned out flash holes in percussion frames with a high temp stainless liner I drill the new flash hole at .046" diameter. That is the size I specified for the flash holes in the last cases I bought from Charlie Hahn. Some people specify smaller holes in their cases and he does those also.

If you have .055" flash holes in the cases and are having misfires I would look elsewhere. Check the alignment of the barrel to the frame. Make sure it locks up tight. Check the headspace, if it is excessive then the flash can get by the case head and not go thru the flash hole. The headspace should be about .031". You can measure it with feeler gages. Put a thin piece of paper between an empty case and the frame then snap a cap. See where the flash burns the paper or if it burns the paper. If the mainspring is weak then the pressure in the nipple can lift the hammer and release the flash instead of forcing it through the flash hole. The same thing can happen with a deformed or rough nipple.

Let me know how it works out.

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Dead Eye Bly--

             Up until recently, S & S listed their Maynard repro nipples in carbon steel and  stainless steel.  They also have had original Maynard nipples and I understood they had all been sold.  According to the S & S online catalog, the original nipples are still available.

What is new from S & S are repro Maynard nipples fabbed by AMPCO from Berylliumcopper @ ~ $10 per copy.  It would be nice if AMPCO got the specification right on the original Mass Arms period thread.

If the AMPCO nipples are made from A83 alloy, they are only 2.0 per-cent Beryllium.  Thus, the health risk in machining is negligible with a proper fumes/dust mask employed by the operator.

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Webb

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Thanks much, John, for the information you've provided !

I am one of the people that you mentioned who believed that all Ampco nipples are made from Beryllium.  I think it's a carry-over from my muzzleloader days, although I mostly competed with flint ignition. (I alway used S.S. vent liners).

I looked at the original Maynard nipples at S & S's shop but didn't buy one.  I may have to get one in March when I see them again, just for the fact of having a piece of Maynard history.

Best regards,
Webb