Knight MK 85 Legal?

[arifleman]

Hi all.  I have an older Knight MK85, and when the bolt is closed all the way, the pecussion cap is still visible, so is legal in WA.  I just bought a second MK 85 for my son, but that one has a bolt that slides all the way over the cap, so it is not visible when the bolt is closed. 

I don't want to be in trouble with the law.  This must be a new version of the MK 85?  I am wondering if Knight can provide an older style bolt that does not cover.  Anyone have any experience with this?  Thanks.

[HawkenBob]

I dont, but Knight is pretty good. Call there customer service. I bet they have a NW kit for it. Or you can drill a hole over the cap. Exposing it but Im not sure what the new laws may say about this.

[GoldTip]

Why not hunt with the bolt open?

[CP]

Here’s the proposed new language.  It’s pretty clear, you have to be able to see the cap and the weapon can not be capable of covering the cap.  Eg. Leaving the bolt open would not be legal if you could close the bolt and cover the cap.  Drilling a hole might work but the hole would have to be big enough to see the cap through. 

Knight customer service is very good.  I would them a call.

(a) Ignition is to be wheel lock, matchlock, flintlock, or percussion using original style percussion caps that fit on the nipple and are exposed to the weather.  "Exposed to the weather" means the percussion cap or the frizzen must be visible and not capable of being covered or closed by an integral part of the weapon proper.

[O_mykiss]

An MK-85 is legal as long as your using #11 or musket caps. By the logic of the hammer covering the nipple, a Hawken would be illegal too, because you could set the hammer onto the cap. An MK-85 hammer is the same idea as the hawken (recessed cup at end of hammer) just in a different form. I would hope that nobody is walking around with their hammer down on a live cap.

[arifleman]

Thanks all.  O_mykiss, your post makes good sense, however those MK85 bolts can be set by threaded knob at the end to close but not contact the cap.  This particular bolt is really a deep recess and does cover the whole cap. 

I just don't want any hassles with WFWD, not that I've ever seen them where I hunt.  I'll give Knight a call and see what they say.

[deerslyr]

I hunt with one and dont see why theyd be illegal.