Lyman Rifle Flint Material?

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Marc H

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Group,

I have a Lyman flintlock trade rifle. The flints that came with the rifle are somewhat clear and have smooth top and bottoms. Clean back and front edge.

They work well but are quite different in appearance and shape from the Track of the Wolf English Flints I also use.

The Lyman flints work well. What are they made of and how do they shape them so accurately?

Marc
 
Do they look like this?
IMG_0177.JPG
 
that is a cut agate , a form of chert as is all flint (sio2 ) the problem is more the angle that it is cut at and is near imposable to knap a new edge. try English or French, or a USA chert like I make a 5/ 8 flint should fit
DSC03738.JPG
 
Last edited:
bldtrailer said:
that is a cut agate , a form of chert as is all flint (sio2 ) the problem is more the angle that it is cut at and is near imposable to knap a new edge. try English or French, or a USA chert like I make a 5/ 8 flint should fitView attachment 352674
Click to expand...
The only way I could sharpen them is I had access to a diamond wheel grinder for sharpening carbide
That works good. No to knapping them for me
 
One of those cut agates came with my Great Plains rifle. (This is an ancient memory.) It worked for a few shots but I replaced it with black English flints and never tried the cut agate flints again. Too difficult to try knapping the worn edge.

Jeff
 
Group,

O.K. then. Flint is workable via "knapping" to develop a sharp edge, whereas Agate needs diamond tools.

Flint is formed in nature in a different manner than Agate.

Both works well in my flintlock, but the flint can be sharpened by myself.

Now I understand.

Marc

"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought he back"
 

Chert Classification and Types​

There are many varieties of chert, that classified visible, microscopic and physical characteristics

Flint is a high microcrystalline quartz. It was originally the name for chert found in chalk or marly limestone formations formed by a replacement of calcium carbonate with silica.

Known Common chert is a variety of chert which forms in limestone formations by replacement of calcium carbonate with silica. This chert type is most abundant.

Jasper is a variety of this rock formed as primary deposits, found in or in connection with magmatic formations which owes its red color to iron(III) inclusions. Jasper frequently also occurs in black, yellow or even green (depending on the type of iron it contains). Jasper is usually opaque to near opaque.

Radiolarite is a variety of this rock formed as primary deposits and containing radiolarian microfossils.

Chalcedony is a microfibrous quartz.

Agate is distinctly banded chalcedony with successive layers differing in color or value.
 
My Lyman gpr flintlock is more reliable with the cut agate, but they also have a short lifespan.
 

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