I think I need a new lock.

[Shiloh]

I have a Military Heritage blunderbuss. I knew it wasn’t the highest quality when I bought it but I thought it might be fun to shoot. Anyway, I can’t get the frizzen to open all the way and the **** therefore doesn’t fall all the way. I’ve polished the frizzen spring as and the part that slides on it. I don’t know the proper name for it. Where might I get a working lock and what do I look for?

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

I have a Military Heritage blunderbuss. I knew it wasn’t the highest quality when I bought it but I thought it might be fun to shoot. Anyway, I can’t get the frizzen to open all the way and the **** therefore doesn’t fall all the way. I’ve polished the frizzen spring as and the part that slides on it. I don’t know the proper name for it. Where might I get a working lock and what do I look for?

Post 2 photos of your lock with the flint in place, one in half and one full ****. (frizzen closed) The geometry could be an issue. Let the boys here help if possible. Maybe save some $$$$.
Larry

 

[hanshi]

If no photos then it didn't happen!

 

[TDM]

Yep, need photos for sure. But if your frizzen won’t open all the way it’s binding somewhere. Might be the retaining screw is too tight. Best to remove the frizzen spring and work the frizzen back and forth to see if it’s moving freely. And post photos.

 

[Shiloh]

Yep, need photos for sure. But if your frizzen won’t open all the way it’s binding somewhere. Might be the retaining screw is too tight. Best to remove the frizzen spring and work the frizzen back and forth to see if it’s moving freely. And post photos.

Did that. In fact it works without the spring.

 

[TDM]

Did that. In fact it works without the spring.

Then you’ve got too much spring tension or a burr or rough spot in the contact area.

 

[SDSmlf]

Did that. In fact it works without the spring.

Sounds like you have identified one area to look at before considering a new lock.

As others suggested, photographs sure would help.

 

[smo]

A Blunderbuss can be fun too shoot…
Here’s a poor video of one in action..
4 bore loaded with 150 grns of fffg and around 2 ozs of shot..

It sounds as if the spring is the culprit, I hope you get it going soon.

It will shoot without a frizzen spring however..

 

[TDM]

That’s neat @smo ! Looks like it packs a punch!

 

[smo]

Oh! Here’s the results…

I don’t think he’ll fire it with that much lead again…

He still missed the clay bird he was shooting at..

 

[TDM]

Dang! That left a good mark.

 

[TDM]

Reminds me of the first time I shot an unmentionable 3 1/2” turkey load in a new pump I bought. I was stunned. It hurt.

 

[Shiloh]

Half ****, full ****, fired position.

 

[Shiloh]

Then you’ve got too much spring tension or a burr or rough spot in the contact area.

I did notice after I polished the frizzen that it gouged or galled the spring. Hardening a spring is outside my field.

 

[TDM]

I did notice after I polished the frizzen that it gouged or galled the spring. Hardening a spring is outside my field.

Need to see a photo of the frizzen spring, the spot your concerned about. Odds are good that it can be polished out.

 

[TDM]

Half ****, full ****, fired position.

Just noticed your photos. You need to move your flint further out from the jaws or use a longer flint. On that size lock the edge of the flint needs to be almost touching the frizzen at half **** or at least within an 1/8” or so. Your current flint position is the culprit of the frizzen not fully opening. Doesn’t contact the face long enough. You can try mounting the flint bevel down too.

 

[Shiloh]

Need to see a photo of the frizzen spring, the spot your concerned about. Odds are good that it can be polished out.

I did do that. I’m thinking that if it did that once it will do it again.

 

[Shiloh]

Just noticed your photos. You need to move your flint further out from the jaws or use a longer flint. On that size lock the edge of the flint needs to be almost touching the frizzen at half **** or at least within an 1/8” or so. Your current flint position is the culprit of the frizzen not fully opening. Doesn’t contact the face long enough. You can try mounting the flint bevel down too.

I’ll try a spacer behind it. I think it’s about 1/8 inch now. I tried to get a photo with a scale to show that but I couldn’t get the angle right.

 

[TDM]

I’ll try a spacer behind it. I think it’s about 1/8 inch now. I tried to get a photo with a scale to show that but I couldn’t get the angle right.

Work at getting it as close as you can. The edge of the flint should contact the frizzen face at 2/3 to 3/4 up the face when you fire. You can try folding the flint leather to alter the angle up or down and as I said previously you can flip the flint over. Get it the best you can and see how it sparks.

 

[TDM]

I did do that. I’m thinking that if it did that once it will do it again.

Not if both contact surfaces are polished properly.