Broken frizzen, is this a common thing?

[David LaPell]

About three weeks ago, I was shooting my Pedersoli Kentucky rifle in .32, and the frizzen snapped. Now, the gun itself is 40 years old, according to the stampings on it, they put it as being made in 1984. I bought the gun used last fall, and for some reason, it came with a CVA frizzen on it. I bought the new frizzen from VTI gun parts in June, and it's Pedersoli. Nothing was done to this frizzen except it was taken from the package and then put on the lock in that order. I didn't heat it, touch it, harden it, etc. It went on the way I got it. I think the gun had maybe 60 firings when the frizzen snapped. It sparked great, very reliable. VTI was great about it and sent me another one, but it looks just like the one before, which some have told me didn't look properly heat treated because it's a cast part. So can I expect the next one to give up the ghost in only the same number of shots? Even though it was worn out, the CVA frizzen took a heck of a lot more punishment from its appearance then the Pedersoli frizzen did. I've been told this is a fairly common thing. Since L & R does not offer a lock for this gun (I asked) is this something I have to look forward to from Pedersoli's parts now? I know the Pedersoli frizzen cost almost $60 and a spare frizzen for my Traditions Kentucky doesn't even cost $30, and the Traditions Kentucky that I bought used has more shots on it then the new Pedersoli frizzen lasted and it's still going strong without any issues.

 

[Spikebuck]

I've never heard of frizzens snapping off as common. Properly made, they should last for a long, long, time and not break. Sounds like a defective one to me.

 

[rich pierce]

Rare. Bad tempering job.

 

[wiscoaster]

..... VTI was great about it and sent me another one, but it looks just like the one before, which some have told me didn't look properly heat treated because it's a cast part. So can I expect the next one to give up the ghost in only the same number of shots?

It's possible if it was a defect in the process and not just a defect in a single part.

 

[tenngun]

About fifty years of shooting flintlock never had that happen

 

[SDSmlf]

About three weeks ago, I was shooting my Pedersoli Kentucky rifle in .32, and the frizzen snapped. Now, the gun itself is 40 years old, according to the stampings on it, they put it as being made in 1984. I bought the gun used last fall, and for some reason, it came with a CVA frizzen on it. I bought the new frizzen from VTI gun parts in June, and it's Pedersoli. Nothing was done to this frizzen except it was taken from the package and then put on the lock in that order. I didn't heat it, touch it, harden it, etc. It went on the way I got it. I think the gun had maybe 60 firings when the frizzen snapped. It sparked great, very reliable. VTI was great about it and sent me another one, but it looks just like the one before, which some have told me didn't look properly heat treated because it's a cast part. So can I expect the next one to give up the ghost in only the same number of shots? Even though it was worn out, the CVA frizzen took a heck of a lot more punishment from its appearance then the Pedersoli frizzen did. I've been told this is a fairly common thing. Since L & R does not offer a lock for this gun (I asked) is this something I have to look forward to from Pedersoli's parts now? I know the Pedersoli frizzen cost almost $60 and a spare frizzen for my Traditions Kentucky doesn't even cost $30, and the Traditions Kentucky that I bought used has more shots on it then the new Pedersoli frizzen lasted and it's still going strong without any issues.

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Sure appears to be an improper heat treatment issue as others have suggested.

I would be concerned about the second replacement frizzen having the same issue, as I would imagine Pedersoli frizzens are manufactured in lots or batches, and if one has a heat treat issue, they all have the same issue, though this is just speculation on my part.

If it were my frizzen, I would temper it for an hour or so at 375°F+/-. I would then draw the toe area back to a blue color (600°F+/-) so that it wasn’t as brittle as the first one.

I’ve only heat treated a dozen or so frizzens, so just a hobbyist and by no means any kind expert. You may want to wait for someone like @dave_person to chime in on the topic before doing anything.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

About three weeks ago, I was shooting my Pedersoli Kentucky rifle in .32, and the frizzen snapped. Now, the gun itself is 40 years old, according to the stampings on it, they put it as being made in 1984. I bought the gun used last fall, and for some reason, it came with a CVA frizzen on it. I bought the new frizzen from VTI gun parts in June, and it's Pedersoli. Nothing was done to this frizzen except it was taken from the package and then put on the lock in that order. I didn't heat it, touch it, harden it, etc. It went on the way I got it. I think the gun had maybe 60 firings when the frizzen snapped. It sparked great, very reliable. VTI was great about it and sent me another one, but it looks just like the one before, which some have told me didn't look properly heat treated because it's a cast part. So can I expect the next one to give up the ghost in only the same number of shots? Even though it was worn out, the CVA frizzen took a heck of a lot more punishment from its appearance then the Pedersoli frizzen did. I've been told this is a fairly common thing. Since L & R does not offer a lock for this gun (I asked) is this something I have to look forward to from Pedersoli's parts now? I know the Pedersoli frizzen cost almost $60 and a spare frizzen for my Traditions Kentucky doesn't even cost $30, and the Traditions Kentucky that I bought used has more shots on it then the new Pedersoli frizzen lasted and it's still going strong without any issues.

Started in the 60s shootin flint. Have several and never had a broken frizzen.
Larry

 

[J.D.]

The break is possibly from a casting flaw in that particular part. A friend had a frizzen, on a nearly new, Kibler lock break, in a similar situation. The frizzen was replaced, rather quickly, by Kibler. IMHO, it's rare to have a frizzen break, but it can happen. That said, it wouldn't hurt to temper the new frizzen, as mentioned above, However, I suggest tempering to 350 degrees, before tempering the tail and pivot to a blue, being careful to avoid allowing the blue color to run across the pan cover and overly temper, and soften, the bottom of the face of the frizzen.

 

[ZUG]

I agree with J.D. on the part had a casting flaw not a heat treat issue. If Pedersoli frizzens had a heat treat issue then you would be hearing more about this from a bunch of other people. Replace it and keep a record of how many shots you get out of the replacement part.

 

[sturmkatze]

Never had that happen. Here’s your answer: Black. Powder. Gunsmith. Them’s is the folks what get paid to do that kinda thing.

 

[FlinterNick]

About three weeks ago, I was shooting my Pedersoli Kentucky rifle in .32, and the frizzen snapped. Now, the gun itself is 40 years old, according to the stampings on it, they put it as being made in 1984. I bought the gun used last fall, and for some reason, it came with a CVA frizzen on it. I bought the new frizzen from VTI gun parts in June, and it's Pedersoli. Nothing was done to this frizzen except it was taken from the package and then put on the lock in that order. I didn't heat it, touch it, harden it, etc. It went on the way I got it. I think the gun had maybe 60 firings when the frizzen snapped. It sparked great, very reliable. VTI was great about it and sent me another one, but it looks just like the one before, which some have told me didn't look properly heat treated because it's a cast part. So can I expect the next one to give up the ghost in only the same number of shots? Even though it was worn out, the CVA frizzen took a heck of a lot more punishment from its appearance then the Pedersoli frizzen did. I've been told this is a fairly common thing. Since L & R does not offer a lock for this gun (I asked) is this something I have to look forward to from Pedersoli's parts now? I know the Pedersoli frizzen cost almost $60 and a spare frizzen for my Traditions Kentucky doesn't even cost $30, and the Traditions Kentucky that I bought used has more shots on it then the new Pedersoli frizzen lasted and it's still going strong without any issues.

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I’ve seen this happen multiple times from accidental drops in shipment and in the field.

 

[Micro]

A timely topic. Yesterday (of course, after close of business for the weekend), I received my first Traditions kit, a .45 Kentucky flintlock pistol. It contained a broken frizzen. It may be rare, but when it happens to you it's a 100% thing. I emailed Traditions customer service; we'll see how it gets resolved.

 

[IanH]

Stuff the new frizzen end in a potato up to the pan and heat the whole pan and toe to a deep purple quickly with an O/A torch, as soon as it gets purple, quench it in oil to stop the heat migrating to the frizzen face. If it sparks well as is, don't anneal the frizzen face at all.