Lead or Leather to hold a flint

[mike terry]

Question of the day. I am new to the form and have not seen all the Q&As on here. But my question is what is really the best to use for holding a flint in the Jaws of a flintlock. I have used leather for some time but a friend uses a thin piece of lead that he cuts out of a sheet he has. Is lead better or is it best and more period to use leather. Thanks for the help.

 

[Many Klatch]

This is an ongoing can of worms. You will get all kinds of answers. I only use leather for my flints. It stays put, is easy to find and works.

IMHO, The downside of lead is that it can work loose unless you monitor the flint and retighten occasionally. I lost a match once because I was using lead to wrap my flint and the flint fell out of the lock. Also using lead, the extra weight can affect how the lock works.

Many Klatch

 

[Robert Egler]

I use leather, but some will argue for lead. Heck, SOMEONE will probably argue for depleted uranium, knowing the guys on this forum. :haha:

 

[tg]

The only way to make a determination is to try both for a few long target sessions keeping all things as equall as possible and decide for yourself, all you will find here are opinions/arguements and speculation with no way to identify the quality of the work/effort/manner that went into the testing processes if there was any. Often folks go into something like this with a preconcieved notion of the outcome and all aspects of the procedure become biased. Historicaly lead would likley be more of a military application from all that I have seen presented in the various times the topic has been presented for discussion. Good luck and keep good notes and enjoy the journey.

 

[Darkgael]

I have used both. Can't say that I noticed a difference.
Pete

 

[ericb]

I've used both - and really wanted to stick with lead for my Charleville Musket, cuz I thought it looked cooler and was "more correct" and all that, but bottom line for me was I got tired of constantly having to moniter the Flint for tightness. I use leather pretty much for everything anymore - after maybe tightning it up once early in a session, I can pretty much just let it go without worrying about it (not that one shouldn't keep an eye on it, as well as the other details). Go ahead and try both - pounding out a lead wrap is something everybody should know how to do anyway. It doesn't have to be all that thick either. Just make sure it's tight, and keep an eye on it, especially for the first few shots...

Eric

 

[David W.]

Either will work, but as mentioned, lead will compress and have to be re-tightened occasionally. If one owns a Jim Chamber lock, he will void the warranty if lead is used.

 

[Flash Pan Dan]

I have always been on the side of lead. I conducted my own tests and satisfied myself of the advantages of a lead wrap round the flint. I did modify my position in that I don’t use lead on small flint locks. But on some medium and all large size locks; that is all I use. I use the smallest piece of lead that will hold the flint. I have only had to retighten once or twice for the life of the flint, so far. And I use them on Chambers lock, what’s the big deal; if something breaks I’ll replace it. I haven’t broken any parts and if I ever do, oh well. I’d rather have the spark I’m getting for 5,000 shots than the spark I get with leather for 6,000 shots. YMMV

 

[Stony]

Heck, use both :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

 

[Johnny Tremain]

If one owns a Jim Chamber lock, he will void the warranty if lead is used.

Psst dont tell Jim, Ive been using lead in my Late Kate for years :redface:

 

[illuveatar]

Once while in a pinch, I used a piece of folded over brown paper bag. The lower end nearest to the pan got a little blackened after use but it worked so well that I kept the paper in for the duration of that flint.

I prefer the look of leather in the jaws and have never tried lead. Doubt I ever will, unless I find myself in a pinch again.

 

[George]

Historicaly lead would likley be more of a military application from all that I have seen presented in the various times the topic has been presented for discussion.

For those historically inclined:

"Cuthbertson, Bennett, Esq. A System for the Complete Interior Management and Oeconomy of a Battalion of Infantry, The Second Edition. London: J. Millan, 1779. p115.

The flints should always be screwed in firm, between a thin piece of lead, it having a more certain hold, than leather, or any other contrivance:"

Spence

 

[MSW]

The only way to make a determination is to try both for a few long target sessions keeping all things as equall as possible and decide for yourself, all you will find here are opinions/arguements and speculation with no way to identify the quality of the work/effort/manner that went into the testing processes if there was any. Often folks go into something like this with a preconcieved notion of the outcome and all aspects of the procedure become biased. Historicaly lead would likley be more of a military application from all that I have seen presented in the various times the topic has been presented for discussion. Good luck and keep good notes and enjoy the journey.

I think he 'got it in one.' I've used both, and prefer lead, but you should do some tinkering and use what works best in your particular gun.
all the while, make good smoke!

 

[nilo52]

You don't have to use sheet lead, just pound out one of the lead balls you shoot to the desired thickness. If you want to use leather take an old leather glove and use it, the thickness is perfect and you will have enough to make a bunch of them. I love my flintlock but they require more attention than a cap and ball,heck thats part of the fun for me ! As always, this is the only ignition system approved by God (you don't find any caps laying on the ground but you can find flints) :rotf:
nilo

 

[Larry Pletcher]

The lead vs leather discussion comes up fairly often and was the reason I tried to evaluate both with photography. The following link shows the photos in order they were taken.

leather vs lead

I encourage each shooter to experiment to determine what works best in his lock. Taking pictures is one way to see the quality of the sparks produced. Most digital cameras will do this.

Regards,
Pletch

 

[mike terry]

Thank you all for so much info. I will try it and compare.

 

[VTdeerhunter]

I have used both, the lead worked fine although it did seem to loosen up after use. I now use leather, it stays tight, looks good and is readily available in case you have to make a field repair. I carry several pieces in my flint wallet along with my flints.

 

[heck]

I have not tried the lead on my flintlock but a gun shop in Austin bought the leftover flints used in making the latest version of "The Alamo". Some of those flints have lead on them. I bought some of them but have not tried them yet.

 

[MSW]

The only way to make a determination is to try both for a few long target sessions keeping all things as equall as possible and decide for yourself, all you will find here are opinions/arguements and speculation with no way to identify the quality of the work/effort/manner that went into the testing processes if there was any. Often folks go into something like this with a preconcieved notion of the outcome and all aspects of the procedure become biased. Historicaly lead would likley be more of a military application from all that I have seen presented in the various times the topic has been presented for discussion. Good luck and keep good notes and enjoy the journey.

He's right. You should check it out for yourself, and see which method works best in your particular gun.

Thanks, by the way, to Pletch as well, for his camera work. His experiment shows that there does not appear to be a very substantial difference between lead and leather.

I use lead in some and leather in others, but that's just one guy's opinion, and probably worth about what you just paid for it.

 

[caintuck rifle]

I have used both and do not care either way although i have not done and extensive side ti side comparison.