Flint size

[Danno]

So I put together my first flintlock. Got a traditions kentucky pistol. I'm struggling with placing the flint. Ordered the 5/8 square. It is actually touching the Frizzen at half cock and won't allow the hammer to fall all the way forward when the trigger is pulled. If I go bevel down the top of the lock hits the frizzen instead of the flint. Did I order the wrong size? Or am I doing something wrong?

 

[cositrike]

Looks quite a big flint to me. Have you tried bevel up, but moving the flint forward in the jaws a little. ( put a piece of toothpick behind it)
However it may just be bad lock geometry

 

[Loyalist Dave]

So I put together my first flintlock. Got a traditions kentucky pistol. I'm struggling with placing the flint. Ordered the 5/8 square. It is actually touching the Frizzen at half cock and won't allow the hammer to fall all the way forward when the trigger is pulled. If I go bevel down the top of the lock hits the frizzen instead of the flint. Did I order the wrong size? Or am I doing something wrong?

Ya, that's very much a wrong flint for that pistol. You're going to need something thinner. On the bright side you have the leather correctly installed in that the jaw screw should be bare so it may touch the flint.

LD

 

[rafterob]

The placement is actually pretty good. The Flint should actually just clear the frizzen at half cock by 1/16" But touching it isn't bad as long as the frizzen can fully close. You may need to work on polishing the frizzen contact surfaces so it opens more easily. The flint contacting the frizzen should sling it open before the jaw screw hits it. I agree a thinner flint is in order.

 

[Danno]

Sorry realized that I posted 2 of the same pic. Below is my real issue, the flint won't clear the frizzen upon trigger release. I didn't see an option for thickness of flint when I ordered from TOW. What size should I order? Frizzen is 5/8 and jaw is 1/2 in from screw to the tip of the Jaw.

 

[Flintleather]

When i order flints from Track i’ll include a thick or thin request in the order comment area. Most of the time they’ll do a great job sorting. Flintleather

 

[hanshi]

Fat flints are the pits. I suppose that one could be ground down enough to work, it looks not so much like a gun flint as a plain large pebble.

 

[bldtrailer]

To allow larger flints I reshaped the frizzen foot this allowed longer flints and weakened spring to open easier /faster
other wis you need 1/2or 5/8 square flints flatter the better

 

[Danno]

View attachment 143523View attachment 143525To allow larger flints I reshaped the frizzen foot this allowed longer flints and weakened spring to open easier /faster
other wis you need 1/2or 5/8 square flints flatter the better
View attachment 143527

What did you use to reshape it with? Heat and pliers or did you grind it? Would this be a better option than heating the hammer and adjusting the lock geometry that way?

 

[bldtrailer]

You can use a grinder/belt sander BUT do not to over heat (water dip) foot(harden)red arrow/ then polish,yellow line the spring use a file
Some take out the washer and grease shaft
you want the frizzen to open wider and smoother/faster without bounce back

 

[Sooty Scot]

To let the frizzen pivot more easily, I've taken it off and - gently/carefully - polished all 4 of the pivot contact surface. I also polished both the spring contact surfaces, as bldtrailer shows. Though I know how fast you can destroy parts with a Dremel-type die grinder, I used a felt wheel on a Dremel (slowest speed) and the finest grit polishing compound I had. (In a pinch, toothpaste works pretty well; it's a really mild abrasive. )

 

[idonthaveamusketyet:|]

So I put together my first flintlock. Got a traditions kentucky pistol. I'm struggling with placing the flint. Ordered the 5/8 square. It is actually touching the Frizzen at half cock and won't allow the hammer to fall all the way forward when the trigger is pulled. If I go bevel down the top of the lock hits the frizzen instead of the flint. Did I order the wrong size? Or am I doing something wrong?

I am not a very seasoned muzzleloading guy but I think experts might agree with me saying that is one chunky flint I would use a thinner one, here's a 5/8 one I have and would use.
not the best looking flints but they work so whatever ya know?

 

[mmb617]

I have a Traditions Trapper flintlock pistol and I would think it's got the same lock as your Kentucky pistol. I get my flints from Stonewall Creek Outfitters and I've gotten nice thin flints every time I order. I get what they call their 5/8" French amber which is advertised as being 5/8"x3/4".

 

[babstooge]

I also ordered 5/8 flints from Deer Creek they're slimmer and fit perfectly. I don't think those rocks would fit in my Hawken.

 

[granth]

In my Traditions Mountain Rifle I use a 5/8" x 3/4" flint. I think my rifle and your pistol use the same small Traditions lock so that may work. If 5/8" x 3/4" doesn't work, maybe try a 5/8" x 5/8" inch square flint. You can find both sizes pretty easily on TOW.

 

[morehops52]

In my Traditions Mountain Rifle I use a 5/8" x 3/4" flint. I think my rifle and your pistol use the same small Traditions lock so that may work. If 5/8" x 3/4" doesn't work, maybe try a 5/8" x 5/8" inch square flint. You can find both sizes pretty easily on TOW.View attachment 143722

Wow! I love that the "checkering" goes thru the lock too!

 

[granth]

Wow! I love that the "checkering" goes thru the lock too!

Me as well!

 

[Grenadier1758]

That "checkering" is from the shadowing through the window behind the placement of the rifle. It will disappear when the rifle is moved.

 

[granth]

That "checkering" is from the shadowing through the window behind the placement of the rifle. It will disappear when the rifle is moved.

I thought he was referring to the grain in the lock panel .