Hooked Breech Plug Flintlock Question

[cannonball1]

I am making a 58 caliber flintlock. I have purchased a hooked flintlock L&R breech. There is a 3/8" vent hole cavity. When the breech is in place this leaves a ledge from cavity to the .58 inside of the barrel. My question is do most leave the ledge or taper the barrel side of the breech so the powder flows to the bottom? Does it matter?

 

[Eric Krewson]

I have notched a breech plug like you suggested to have a direct path for the powder to flow to the touch hole. This notching is pretty common. I got my measurements just a little off when I drilled my touch hole for a liner and ended up with a slight "ledge" with the breech plug installed like you have in your gun. I made my notch at about a 45 degree angle from the center of the breech face to the touch hole, I used a small round file. I marked the material to be removed with a sharpie while the breechplug was in.

You will have to make sure your liner is short enough to not get into the barrel and bottom out on the plug threads.

A friend gave me this gun before he died, Apparently the touchhole was drilled for the liner while the plug was in place so the notch was drilled into breechplug. The gun goes off like a percussion gun so I left the protruding liner just like it was when my friend gave it to me.

 

[Grenadier1758]

@cannonball1, yes, having the notch in the breech face matters. You need to have the full flow of powder to the touch hole as you can get. Historically, notched plugs were common. You should get a wire brush for cleaning the tips of welders or airbrushes to wipe the touch hole to remove fouling that can collect there. As a benefit, the notch directs powder to the touch hole and improves ignition.