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<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\nEnglish Name<\/strong> Alternate Names<\/strong> Short Description<\/strong> Full Description \/ Long Description<\/strong> Traditional Use<\/strong> Design & Form<\/strong> Materials<\/strong> Method of Making \/ Construction<\/strong> Variants \/ Size<\/strong> Cultural \/ Functional Significance<\/strong> Historical Context<\/strong> Traditional Location \/ Setting<\/strong> Craftsmanship \/ Special Features<\/strong> Reason for Decline<\/strong>
\nCap Muzzle-Loading Gun \/ Caplock Gun<\/p>\n
\nCapethok; Cap Thook; caplock muzzle-loader.
\nThe word \u201cCape\u201d<\/strong> is understood to be a later corruption of the original \u201cCap\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nA traditional caplock muzzle-loading firearm that used a percussion cap for ignition instead of the earlier burning wick mechanism.<\/p>\n
\nCapethok represents a later stage in the evolution of traditional firearms. Unlike the earlier Thiri Thook<\/strong>, which depended on a burning wick for ignition, the Capethok used a small percussion cap fitted to the lock mechanism. The firearm was muzzle-loaded, with the charge and projectile introduced through the front of the barrel. Its long barrel and wooden stock gave it the characteristic appearance of the traditional long gun. Capethok became part of the established firearm tradition of Kodagu and continued the strong association of firearms with Kodava martial, hunting and social traditions.<\/p>\n
\nUsed for hunting, protection and martial purposes. Like earlier firearms, gunfire could also have a signalling role during important occasions and events in the community.<\/p>\n
\nA long wooden stock with a long metal barrel, percussion-cap ignition mechanism, trigger and ramrod. Traditional examples could have simple or decorated metal fittings and varying barrel lengths.<\/p>\n
\nWood for the stock; iron or steel for the barrel and lock mechanism; brass or other metal for selected fittings; percussion caps for ignition.<\/p>\n
\nThe wooden stock was shaped to accommodate the barrel and lock. The metal barrel and caplock mechanism were fabricated and fitted to the stock, with a ramrod provided for the muzzle-loading process.<\/p>\n
\nExamples may differ in barrel length, stock proportions, metal fittings, decoration and overall weight. Double-barrel and single-barrel forms may also be encountered.<\/p>\n
\nCapethok strengthened the place of firearms in Kodava tradition. It represented the technological progression from Pondhi<\/strong> and Thiri Thook<\/strong> to more advanced firearms while retaining the firearm’s important association with Kodava identity, courage and martial heritage.<\/p>\n
\nCapethok belongs to the period following the earlier Thiri Thook<\/strong>. The change from wick ignition to percussion-cap ignition made the firearm a more advanced form of muzzle-loader. The traditional name Capethok<\/strong> is important to record, as \u201cCape\u201d is understood to have developed as a corruption of the original word Cap<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nTraditional Kodava homes, weapon-storage areas and locations associated with hunting, protection, ceremonial occasions and martial traditions.<\/p>\n
\nIts defining feature is the percussion-cap ignition system. The long barrel, wooden stock and traditional metalwork give surviving examples considerable historical and craft value.<\/p>\n
\nCapethok eventually became obsolete as modern breech-loading and repeating firearms became available, while changes in hunting practices, regulations and household life further reduced its everyday use.<\/p>\n