Frizzen not closing all the way.

[Kevin Stjernberg]

I just got my first flintlock rifle and when I try to close the frizzen with the rifle on half cock the flint keeps it from closing.
Is it normal for the flints to be to long? I even got a pack of flints from the manufactor of the gun and they all touch the frizzen.
I got a Davide Pedersoli Hawken.

 

[Iceman]

You have to cut or punch a hole in the leather where it touches the jaw screw so the flint can sit all the way back against screw. Fairly common to have to do that. Flint should be close to, but not touching the frizzed at half cock.

 

[nit wit]

Good answer Iceman!
Nit Wit

 

[longhunter 1776]

Sometimes i take the too long fint and grind a notch in the back to clear that screw,,but if its double sides and sharp,i use it in one of my other flintlocks that will clear,Chamber delux locks will use about any flint with no problem ,but i have two that are the old styles so have to modify once in a while

 

[Flint1]

When I got my first flintlock it was a Pedersoli Kentucky. Through experimenting I found that 1/2 flints work best with that lock. My rifle was shipped with a 3/4 flint, so I had that same problem. Don't rely on the manufacturer or distributor shipping the correct size flint.

 

[longhunter 1776]

thats is right they took a smaller flint,,wich i think i have a bunch of them and they wont fit nuttin i own not even the pistols,,,mickey

 

[Kevin Stjernberg]

I have the hole punched but it still touches so I will grind a notch in the back of the flint to try and make it work and next time try with some smaller flints. Thanks for the replies.

 

[longhunter 1776]

ok,its really not just a hole,its a slot,so the screw comes through giving it room also grind the back side ,,i do it a V so the screw fits in that ,you are using leather,to clamp the flint arent you?,not thick saddle skirting but something like deer,elk hide i also have thinner buffalo wich realy grips good try this let me know,mickey

 

[longhunter 1776]

did you try what i told you?? if you are not that far off you may bring this to me some weekend if you like to,i also have a supply of the smaller flints i cannot use,, i boght them by mistake ,they were thirty dolars for 12 of them amber french sparks good but too small for what i use,mickey

 

[Kevin Stjernberg]

At the moment I'm using a piece of lead that came with the rifle but the slot is the size that the screw touches the flint. I will try to remember and take a flint with me to work today and grind a slot. Tomorrow will be my first range day with the rifle.

 

[French Colonial]

At the moment I'm using a piece of lead that came with the rifle but the slot is the size that the screw touches the flint. I will try to remember and take a flint with me to work today and grind a slot. Tomorrow will be my first range day with the rifle.

Get rid of the lead and get some thin leather to hold the flint.

 

[Grenadier1758]

@Kevin Stjernberg, A lead wrap will hold the flint, but as the lead is displaced during firing, the flint will loosen and the jaws should be retightened after each shot. Leather will hold the flint in place and compress during firing and rebound to hold the flint securely without the need for constant retightening.

 

[longhunter 1776]

At the moment I'm using a piece of lead that came with the rifle but the slot is the size that the screw touches the flint. I will try to remember and take a flint with me to work today and grind a slot. Tomorrow will be my first range day with the rifle.

i used the lead at one time,,but i like the leather better,,mickey

 

[Kevin Stjernberg]

Now I have made a notch in the flint with a diamond cut off wheel and it no longer touches the frizzen. And I also found a piece of leather and put it around the flint instead of the lead. Tomorrow I will see how it works at the range. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[longhunter 1776]

I like the leather much better,i have a lot of leather ,i make all kinds of primitive things, so have some on hand,,,pants hunting shirts belts holsters,coats you name it i made it,mickey

 

[Jason holgate]

God post