Flint

[Shotgun Willy]

Can someone tell me please, how long will a flint last in a flintlock? I've been thinking about getting one since I've had so much fun with my C&B. I know that some there's no set time but an approximate number of shots?
Thanks
Bill

 

[1911 guy]

Depends.

Quality of the flint, angle of the lock and how hard your frizzen is will determine flint life. I get about 50 shots from my .36 caliber squirrel rifle before I have to loosen the jaw and move the flint foreward. The lock is properly set up so it knaps itself to keep a sharp edge against the frizzen. I get hundreds of shots before the flint is too short to use any more. Personally, I like black english flints, they tend to resist chipping like the arkansas flints do. At least in my rifle.

I'll warn you now, going to a flintlock will make you a complete nutjob. I like EBR's, I use handguns extensively, I tote a shotgun once in a while. But I LOVE my rocklock.

 

[chuck-ia]

flints

depends on the quality of the lock more than anything. I normally get around 50 shots on a flint, I have got as high as 90. I use only tom fuller black english flints. I have chambers locks on all my guns, (very good locks). If you buy a cheap gun, I would not expect these results, unless you get lucky. Once a person gets to know his flintlock, it can be just as reliable as a caplock. Example, went to the range last week and shop 30 times, gun went off every time, 0 missfires. chuck-ia

 

[Cap n Ball]

I seem to remember back a few years of a story that thousands of English black flints of high quality were discovered underwater at a shipwreck site. I love shooting my old flinters. My favorite one is a 1761 New Land Pattern horse pistol in .58 cal. It was given to my three times Great Grandfather as a souvienier after the Revolution by General Greene. Still shoots fine. Causes quite a stir at the range.

 

[Shotgun Willy]

Thanks

I appreciate the help. Always been interested in flintlocks but since I've never really been around one I don't know much about the care and feeding of one.
Thanks
Bill

 

[ky_man]

Tips:

- Use real black english flints by Tom Fuller
- Make sure the flint is in the right spot (60%, bevel up/down) and secured in the cock jaws
- Secure the flint with lead sheet
- Make sure your lock is well tuned
- Store your flints under water
- Use real BP in your flinter (never use pyrodex!) 3F is the best all around general powder

Arkansas flints are too hard and tear up frizzens. Then you will have to re-surface and possibly re-harden after a short time of use. Don't use Arkansas flints, as they are more expensive than a hand-flaked flint.

I get between 80-100 shots out of EACH 5/8" x 5/8" Tom Fuller black english flint in my pistol. It has a small Siler lock that I tuned. Sparks like a dream.

I get between 40-50 shots out of EACH flint by using my Traditions Kentucky flinter because it's lock isn't so well-tuned. Occasionally it will shatter one, but I carry extras and can re-knap using the frizzen unless the break is extreme.

Your flint should be held in lead (here we go) sheet pounded flat to ~1/8" from a .50 cal ball and cut with scissors. Typically, I tighten my flints down, make 5 snaps, then re-tighten. I re-tighten every so often just to make sure it's not loose. SInce I switched to lead, I've had fewer problems.

Check to make sure your flint isn't striking anywhere other than the frizzen surface. If it strikes the side of the pan or barrel, it can shatter. Make sure your frizzen spring is not too strong, the lock should spark well with no frizzen spring at all. The spring simply keeps the frizzen in place and pan covered.

Try storing your flints under water. Takes at least 3-6 months to see a benefit. I have just started trying this and supposedly it helps. No BS.

Make sure your flint is the right size. At half cock, the flint should be ~1/16" away from the frizzen. If it's too far away, you either need to move the flint forward or but a larger flint. My locks like flints bevel down, I get a better hit on the frizzen surface. You want the flint to hit around 60% up the face of it to get the most sparks. If bevel up gives you this location, use it. But, flip the flint upside down and try it this way as well. You can't tell immediately, you will have to try many shots.

The quantitiy of spark produced by a well tuned flinter is amazing to see in slow motion. You can only see a small portion of what is produced with your naked eye. Using a darkened room and an open shutter on my camera, I counted over 100 white hot sizzlers that were bounced out of the pan and into the air. Not to mention all the ones that hit the pan!