This Civil War artifact is a rare, original, unused, metal cylindrical tin complete with its complement of nine, waterproof rolls of ‘Maynard Tape’ primers. The primers were used with the Model 1855 U.S. longarms. The Maynard tape primed conversion system, invented by Edward Maynard in 1845, was devised to replace the need to manually prime the percussion firearm with the small, hard to handle brass percussion cap. The cylindrical tin tube still has traces of its old dark ‘japanned’ finish. Specimen measures 2½” long by 1” and is maker-marked on the metal press-fit cap. The embossed brass cap reads “MAYNARD PATENTED / SEP. 22. 1845. / MANUFACTURED BY / MASS. ARMS. Co. / CHICOPEE. FALLS / MASS.”

Similar in looks and operation to a child’s roll of caps, the individual Maynard tape measures almost 1” diameter and consists of a roll of fulminate of mercury caps melded in line at regular intervals on a narrow strip (1/8” wide) of varnished, waterproof paper. Paper tape was rolled up and inserted into the musket’s tape primer compartment lid located on the lockplate. When the musket’s hammer was cocked, a pawl device rotated the paper ‘tape’ and placed a ‘cap’ over the nipple in one operation. A number of varied ‘tape primer’ systems were invented, but the Maynard is the most recognizable. This cylindrical tin with all nine individual Maynard Tape rolls, still wrapped in their varnished paper covers, are in excellent, original condition. A rare find.

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