.45 cal flintlock issues

[sms77]

I am having issues with a very inconsistent spark and the frizzen only snapping open about half way when it is struck by the flint.(It appears that the flint stops the frizzen about half way.)I have adjusted the flint according to other post and it seems to work a little better with the flint upside down. I have also messed with the main spring. I have tried different types of flint and they all yield the same results. The inconsistent spark is starting to affect my sons shooting as he is just jerking the trigger to see if it will fire. The gun fires about 3-4 out of 10 times. It either does not throw good spark or if it sparks good the frizzen is hardly open for them to fall into the pan. This is a smaller rifle for a youth and the frizzen has bunny ears on the back of it.I would post photos but i have not been able to figure out how to assign a photo a URL. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Spikebuck]

I think photos and more info (lock brand / type, etc) might be needed for anyone to provide a potential solution. Not sure what you did when you say you "messed" with the mainspring.

To post photos, you have to first post them to a service like Flickr or Photobucket, then post the Flicr or Photobucket picture link or IMG file URL into your post (the IMG link let's the picture actually show up in the post vs people having to follow a link to the photo-posting site.)

 

[longcruise]

The main spring or frizzen spring

 

[jethro224]

Hard to say with limited information but I'm gonna throw out a guess.
The first thing I would do is to make sure that the frizzen pivot screw is not over-tightened and that it has a drop of oil on it.

 

[sms77]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/135042991@N02/22001771635/in/dateposted-public/

 

[jethro224]

Pics are kinda fuzzy for me. Is that lock at half-cock? Or is that where it stops?

Looks like your flint is in backwards. Not just upside down, but backside front. That MIGHT make a difference.
Also looks like the flint is hitting pretty low on the frizzen. You can raise it with a thicker piece of leather under the flint.

Did you try oiling the frizzen pivot screw? And maybe a touch where the frizzen rides on its spring.

 

[ohio ramrod]

As suggested make sure the frizen isn't binding. Then consider if the frizen spring is two strong. All of my Pedroseli's worked better after "thinning " the frizen springs. :idunno: :idunno:

 

[Dewey]

Also make sure the frizzen isn't rebounding and hitting the flint on the rebound - you CAN'T see this !!! Put a piece of paper on the frizzen spring - it will have a dent from the frizzen tail if that is what is happening.

 

[Zonie]

...

Looks like your flint is in backwards. Not just upside down, but backside front. That MIGHT make a difference.
.

I agree.

The short steep side should be towards the jaw screw. The long thin, sloping part should be toward the frizzen.

With the short blunt side of the flint towards the frizzen (if that is indeed what is happening), I am surprised the rather dull edge produces any sparks.
(I say, "if that is indeed what is happening" because it might be just the angle the picture was taken at that causes it to look like the flint is backwards.)

Hopefully that long thin side has a razor sharp edge on it. If it doesn't, that would explain the inconsistent sparking that was mentioned.

I would also like to know, if the flint wasn't hanging up on the frizzen will the cock (hammer) fall further downward towards the pan causing the flint to take a "full swipe" at the frizzen?

If not, I would remove the lock from the stock to see if doing that would allow the hammer to move further down.

 

[bgeipel]

I have experienced what you are describing when I used too long of a flint. I think jet hero is right plus your flint is too long. Try reversing it and napping it back a bit.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I'm with Barry on this suggestion. I would have liked to have seen a picture of the lock at half cock.

Rebound would have the frizzen resting on the flint. This has the flint dragging on the frizzen and coming to a stop. A soft frizzen would do this as well as too strong of a frizzen spring or too long a flint. The frizzen could be dragging on the axis bolt. Polish that bolt. Polish the sides of the frizzen in the bridle.

 

[sms77]

Thanks to all for the observation on the flint. I am now not sure if we where trying to fire the flintlock with the flint backwards or if my son just put it in backwards after the cleaning. I will start over tonight and see how the gun reacts and take better photos.

 

[mr.flintlock]

There are several things that can cause problems of this nature. It is possible that your frizzen is too soft, causing the flint to dig in to the frizzen like an axe blade hitting a tree. Look at your frizzen and see if the flint is making a smooth scraping marks or if it appears to be chopping into the frizzen , leaving a rough surface on the frizzen. If this is the case, you may need to re-harden the frizzen. Also, a soft frizzen does not spark very well.

 

[don hepler]

The flint needs to be sharp, like a knife. Think about how a razor blade shaves your face, and what angle you have to hold the blade. Same thing for the flint, shaving the frizzen.

 

[PaulTBarton]

What he says.