Can someone please tell me the timeline when percussion caps replaced flintlocks?

The reason why is that I have some very nicely walnut that came from my great great great grandfathers homestead circa 1835. The tree was over 200 years old and was dying so it was remoed. I want to make a historicaly period correct muzzle loading pistol using the wood I have. I would prefer a percussion but I am not against a flintlock.

I figure to use a kit from Dixie Gun Works and substitute my wood for the kits. But until I know whether to look for a percusion or flintlock I am kind of stuck.

Any suggestions on a particular pistol model to use?

I have a Lang double rifle that was made just about 1830 or a tad earlier. It is percussion. But somewhere in the 1820-40 range is where caps caught on.

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Brent

Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.

When you say "period correct", I am assuming you mean 1835 or thereabouts!

Well, percussion caps were in use by then, vis the Colt Texas Patterson revolver. Yet, at the Alamo battle in 1836, there were a lot more flintlocks being used by both sides than caplocks. For example, Santa Ana's army was armed with cast-off British Brown Bess flintlock muskets and Baker flintlock rifles.

In addition, a great many frontiersmen continued to prefer the flintlock long after most folks back east had switched. This was because you can find a sharp hard stone for your flintlock nearly anywhere, but it's tough to buy caps in the wilderness!

I have and use both caplocks and flinters, and I can tell you, a flintlock is a lot more fun!! A good one with a good flint is pretty reliable, too!

I've found published referrences that state that the first patent for a caplock mechanism was filed around 1812 or so- I'd have to dig it up to make sure.
However, as stated already many flintlocks were in use long, long after percussion arms were in common use- there are referrences to flintlock muskets still being issued for some militia units in the american civil war, and I've seen at least one reference to a bufallo hunter in the 1880s using a flinter in preferrence to a more modern arm.


-Badger-