percussion cap
noun
1.
a small metallic cap or cup containing fulminating powder, formerly exploded by percussion to fire the charge of small arms.
Origin
1815-25
Examples from the web for
percussion cap
During the
percussion cap
era, breechloaders proliferated.
Other than the dimensions, the primer was similar to the familiar
percussion cap
of the muzzleloading era.
The final improvement in the fabrication of muzzle loading rifles was the introduction of the
percussion cap
.
Double-barreled muzzleloaders and
percussion cap
revolvers are not legal during the special muzzleloading season.
Muzzleloaders will be considered unloaded if the
percussion cap
is not seated in the chamber.
British Dictionary definitions for
percussion cap
percussion cap
noun
1.
a detonator consisting of a paper or thin metal cap containing material that explodes when struck and formerly used in certain firearms