Has anyone used a ferrorod as a flint?

[RandyBishop]

Hello all. I have a replica 1768 short land brown bess I use for deer and birds and everything in between recently ran out of viable flints. I tried quartz and some other rocks I found randomly some worked once but only once. I had an old wall clock made of agate so I smashed it with a hammer and have been using that lately I get maybe 3 shots before I have to rotate it. My dad theorized I could use a piece of a firesteel ferrorod thing as a flint I haven't tried it yet I wanted to ask first if anybody has done this and if so if it works and if not is it a good idea or a stupid idea? Thanks for your time.
PS i know my gun is rusty its on purpose I'm trying to build a patina it was shiny when I bought her I didn't like it so I'm trying to rust her up nice and good

 

[Erwan]

As a flint, I don't know, but it works perfectly to replace pyrite (iron disulfide) on a wheellock gun. The frizzen could be (maybe) a little too smooth, but you can try.
Normally, ferro should works more than well on a striated Spanish battery and why not on a regular frizzen...

 

[RandyBishop]

As a flint, I don't know, but it works perfectly to replace pyrite (iron disulfide) on a wheellock gun. The frizzen could be (maybe) a little too smooth, but you can try.
Normally, ferro should works more than well on a striated Spanish battery and why not on a regular frizzen...

Sweet! Thanks for your response makes sense I'm going to give it a shot I can't see why it wouldn't work. Luckily my frizzen is pitted to hell probably would work

 

[sb 54 cal.]

There are flints out there to buy heritage- products.com is one place

 

[flinter1977]

That's were I buy mine very nice to deal with.

 

[appalichian hunter]

RANDY, do not know about the ferro rod thing but just search on the computer there are flints too be had, now clean the gun rust does not add patina useage does.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

This will not work. Ferrocerium is a modern alloy that makes sparks when it is scraped with a sharp tool ( including flint ). However, striking a smooth frizzen with ferrocerium will likely produce nothing. There was once information on line regarding frizzens that had been soled with ferrocerium which produced abundant sparks but are clearly not authentic. Stick with real flint and a properly hardened frizzen.

 

[Brokennock]

A flintlock flint scrapes hot particles, sparks, off the steel towards the pan.
A ferro rod gets scraped toward the tinder. See the difference?
Even if you get sparks, they would be going the wrong way.

Clean your gun.

 

[excess650]

Muzzleloader Builders Supply appears to have 1" flints in stock, Stonewall Creek Outfitters may have 1" and 1-1/8" but best to call. Heritage Products appears to have 1", 1-1/8" and 1-1/4" black or amber. Track of The Wolf is showing balck English flints in stock, so they ARE available.

 

[toot]

nice to know.

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

Also, from what I've read in the Muzzle Blast magazine, guns that have been soled on the frizzen with the material you are trying to use are not allowed on the range.

 

[stank]

Are we permitted to talk of this modern stuff on this site? If not please delete my post.
I believe it works if you epoxy a piece of rod to the frizzen face and put a piece of hard steel in the jaws. They say you can cut the rod with a hacksaw. I have never done any of this and wouldn’t recommend it. Could cause damage etc. proceed at your own risk

 

[skoda]

I cut a piece of ferrorod with a hacksaw to make a piece to fit my wheellock. It made an impressive amount of sparks while cutting it.

 

[Historian]

I also might add there are better ways of adding a "Patina" than what
you appear to be doing. I rust browning solution would be a really good way. Try the Luarrel Mountain Valley Forge solution's. Do a type search for them. They make really good products.

 

[skoda]

When it comes to patina-ing guns I've had good luck putting on a heavy coat of browning solution, leaving it over night, then rubbing it with some 000 steel wool, and a quick hot water rinse to stop further corrosion. Repeat until you are happy with how it looks then oil it up good. Three of four times works best for me.

 

[Many Klatch]

The material that was half faced on frizzens that is illegal at Friendship is Depleted Uranium. Radioactive Dust with every shot. I don't know about Ferrocerium. Flints are not impossible to get, they last from 5 to 100 shots. I buy a bag of 100 and forget about ignition problems for a decade or so.

Regarding Patina. You have enough rust now. Scrub the barrel with a green scrubby pad and oil it. Patina takes time. Anything you do chemically to make patina will look fake for a long time. Real patina, which is accomplished by use, rust, cleaning and oiling will produce a steel gray color that cannot be hurried. Give it two or three years of use and cleaning and it will give you the look you want.

 

[rickystl]

I cut a piece of ferrorod with a hacksaw to make a piece to fit my wheellock. It made an impressive amount of sparks while cutting it.

LOL. Yes, it sure does make sparks fly. If you have a bench grinder, purchase a cutting wheel used for tile. The same sparks will fly, but only lasts a couple seconds. I placed a flat cookie sheet with a little water in it under the wheel to catch the sparks.