Nipple cone protector question

[ChapK]

What is the benefits of having a nipple cone protector? Is it like a "snap cap" for getting a feel of the trigger pull? I am not a reenactor and I'm not able to shoot in skirmish competitions. Only target shoot and hunt with my muzzleloaders.

 

[Booner]

It's to protect the hammer from beating up the end of the nipple. Also the hammer and nipple are probably case hardened and if the two hit metal on metal, you may get chips or breakage.
We used to make nipple protectors from the base of an schrader air valve. Cut the valve down by the base, where the groove is to fit into a wheel and put that piece on a nipple and dry fire to your hearts content. The hammer now has something soft to hit up against

 

[Ralph Heinz]

Nipple protectors (like those provided with Enfields) also formed a barrier against rain getting into the nipple just as a tompion in the end of the barrel kept rain and snow out of the barrel. You could carry a loaded weapon without a percussion cap and be ready in a pinch to fire your weapon by simply removing the nipple protector and then putting a percussion cap on the nipple. This was the safest way to carry a loaded rifle. Men on picket duty in bad weather may have resorted to this. It would be safer than carrying a loaded and capped rifle with the hammer on half cock.

 

[Craig L Barry]

In the English manual of arms they dry fired as part of their drill. The snap cap was to save wear and tear (mushrooming) of the percussion cone from repeated impact with the hammer. Technically the nipple is the portion of the percussion cone above the shoulder.

 

[Banjo Pete]

Made a "traditional" style one using a cut down minie ball. After a few snaps though it gets a bit hard to pry off cone because it gets driven in deeper.