Flint Size

[HB]

I purchased my 1st flintlock and am unsure which flints I need to order. I am not sure what lock is on the rifle but it may be a small Siler.

I included photos below. After reading Track of the Wolf’s diagram, I believe I need a 5/8” x 3/4”.

However, the existing flint (which throws great sparks after a little knapping) is much smaller. It nearly touches the frizzen in half cock position. The frizzen is 3/4” measured at it’s base.

Any input out there?

 

[Fyrstyk]

Your flint should be the width of the frizzen or slightly less. At 1/2 cock the edge of the flint generally should be about 1/16" from the face of the frizzen. When the cock is fully down, the edge of the frizzen should point towards the middle of the pan, and should not touch the sides of the pan or the barrel. Whether the bevel of the flint goes up or down is variable depending on the lock and whichever way gives you the best sparks. The flint should hit the frizzen about 3/4 of the way from the heel of the frizzen.

 

[hawg]

What rifle do you have?

 

[HB]

What rifle do you have?

It is the rifle I purchased recently in this thread

What did I buy?

I have been looking at Kibler kits with envy while I patiently plink away with my T/C Hawken. However, I came upon this in a gun shop today. I was able to get it for $424 out the door. It has no visible markings. It throws a spark and set triggers work as they should. The guy behind the...

www.thehighroad.org

I am not sure what it is exactly. The lock seems fairly small but it is proportional to the 36” .40 cal.

 

[.38 Special]

Flints are one of those things that get massively overthought. @Fyrstyk laid out pretty much everything a fellow needs to know about them, as far as I am concerned.

 

[HB]

Flints are one of those things that get massively overthought. @Fyrstyk laid out pretty much everything a fellow needs to know about them, as far as I am concerned.

Makes sense. It seems a 5/8” x 3/4” will be too long. ToW is sold out of 5/8” x 5/8”.

I am going to order some of each and experiment. I know I’ve already put too much mental effort into what amounts to a rock… considering they will all be different anyway.

 

[.38 Special]

Makes sense. It seems a 5/8” x 3/4” will be too long. ToW is sold out of 5/8” x 5/8”.

I am going to order some of each and experiment. I know I’ve already put too much mental effort into what amounts to a rock… considering they will all be different anyway.

Exactly. Even ordering in bulk from Track will get you some that are pretty much the next size up and others that are the next size down - and as long as none of them whack the side of the barrel, they all work!

 

[HB]

Exactly. Even ordering in bulk from Track will get you some that are pretty much the next size up and others that are the next size down - and as long as none of them whack the side of the barrel, they all work!

And if they do, I can always move them over

 

[hawg]

Or knap them down.

 

[Fyrstyk]

Makes sense. It seems a 5/8” x 3/4” will be too long. ToW is sold out of 5/8” x 5/8”.

I am going to order some of each and experiment. I know I’ve already put too much mental effort into what amounts to a rock… considering they will all be different anyway.

Try ordering flints from Heritage Products or Stonewall Creek. They usually have all sizes.

 

[hawg]

I wouldn't worry too much about the distance between the edge of the flint and the frizzen. The flint that came with my Woodsrunner has a 1/4 inch gap and it works perfectly.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I wouldn't worry too much about the distance between the edge of the flint and the frizzen. The flint that came with my Woodsrunner has a 1/4 inch gap and it works perfectly.

How far it sits from the frizzen has to be experimented with. There is no official distance. An official "starting point" perhaps. What works best in one lock, may work worst in another. My Jeager does not seem to be fussy about it, but I set it around that 1/16th rule of thumb or a bit closer. My Bess likes it almost touching the frizzen at half cock, no gap but not actually touching either, and in that lock it makes a big difference.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Flints are one of those things that get massively overthought. @Fyrstyk laid out pretty much everything a fellow needs to know about them, as far as I am concerned.

Amen. It's not "rock-et" science. Or...is it? Yes, order a variety, a bunch of them, and see what fits best, or suits you best, sparks the best. Experiment. Many of the rifle flints I order are big enough to work well in my musket, and a batch of musket flints will give me some or one or two that will work in the rifle.