Flint problems with Brown Bess

[Alamocity]

Hey fellas, I'm trying to get my first flintlock set up. Its a Pedersoli Bess from the 1970's.

I got a couple of english flints from TOW but they seem to be too big. They are the 1 1/8x 1 1/4 which is what TOW recommended.

The problem is that these flints are so long that the rear end pushes up against the threads of the top screw and it doesn't seem that the top and bottom jaws are really able to hold the flint firm. I can move it side to side slightly.

Should I try a smaller flint? These are right about the width of the widest part of the frizzen and when seated, about .34" from frizzen face at half-cock.

Do I have this right or am I missing something?

Thanks for the input. T

 

[Stubert]

Do you have it wraped in leather?

 

[Alamocity]

yes, I have it wrapped in a relatively thick leather that it came with from the previous owner.

T

 

[BrownBear]

I'd switch to thinner leather if you have it, or flake a little off the back of the flint. That's the size I use on my Bess, but with thinnish leather and sometimes flakes off the butt.

 

[Alamocity]

Thanks, I'll try taking a little off the back of the flint to give me a little more space.

Thanks, T

 

[paulvallandigham]

Try hammering a piece of lead( a spent ball works) to a sheet of lead no thicker than 1/32- so that it bends in your fingers easily--- and wrap that large flint with the lead wrap. This is historically correct for the firearm. The lead will form to fill all the shallow dips and curves of a knapped flint- God, don't used CUT AGATE Flints!.

Tighten the Cock screw down on the lead wrap and then strike the flint 5 time. Then tighten the screw again. The first few strikes sets the flint back into the lead, and that second tightening should allow you to the the cock screw 1/8-1/4 turn, depending on the thickness of the lead, and how hard you tightened the screw the first time. :thumbsup:

 

[Stumpkiller]

The flint should be up against the threads . . . or at least the leather wrap around it.

 

[Alamocity]

great feedback - thanks everyone. Picture is much appreciated!

I think I'll try the lead "holder" idea. My flints just seem to extend out from the jaws more than it seems they should. I'll be able to test them tomorrow at the range.

Thanks, T

 

[Grenadier1758]

You can also take some of the leather at the back of the pad out. I regularly take a small notch out of the leather and that gives me some more leeway in setting my flint in the lock.

 

[Ken Cormier]

You can also take some of the leather at the back of the pad out. I regularly take a small notch out of the leather and that gives me some more leeway in setting my flint in the lock.

me too

 

[goon]

Taking a small notch out of a lead flint holder helps too.

Also, depending on your leather and particular gun, it is sometimes beneficial to double the leather on the bottom of the flint but only leave one layer on the top to adjust slightly where the flint strikes the frizzen.

 

[Rifleman1776]

You sound more concerned that it "seems" not right. All that is important is that the flint stays in place and sparks. I use the lead wrap and take a notch out from the back.

 

[KJGROHS]

Everything stTed here is exactally right, I found that swiching to a smaller flint one size smaller generally works good , both pedersoli brown besses I owned would chew up the flints you have fast , I switched to large rifle flints because that's all I had in my shooting box before an event and tryed one and never went back they are cheaper too, and I get double to tripple wear before they go bad, also get better ignition, and lock time.

Resently I bought some frenchy flints just to try was a little hesitent but they actually seem better , but time will tell.