There are several sizes of percussion caps and Musket caps (which look
more like a top hat)

History of the Percussion cap
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percussion_cap

How it works
http://inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.silcom.com/%257Evikman/isles/scriptorium/firearm/percussion.html

Scientific American 1869
http://www.researchpress.co.uk/firearms/shaw.htm

Basic description of different locks for the novice
http://www.hunting101.com/gunsandbows/muzzle/the%20complete%20hunter%20muzzleloading001.htm

That should get you started.

Smoke.

On 10/4/05, Tyler S Milhoan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I am an Anthropology/Archaeology student at the University of Hawaii at
> Hilo.  This semester I am in Historical Archaeology taught by Dr. Peter
> R. Mills and I am doing a research/analysis project on percussion caps
> that were excavated from an historical stone corral complex
> occupational site on the Big Island of Hawaii.  I am trying to contact
> historical archaeologists or munitions experts to find out information
> on these percussion caps, such as types, manufacturers or even dates.
> If anyone has information on percussion caps or knows someone who does,
> please contact me.  I have digital pictures I could send off list as
> well.  Any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Tyler Milhoan
> Student Assistant
> UHH Anthropology Department
>


--
Smoke Pfeiffer
845 Cagle Rock Road
Russellville, Ar. 72802

"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity."
---Sigmund Freud, General Introduction to Psychoanalysis---