Lyman Rifle Flint Material?

[Marc H]

Group,

I have a Lyman flintlock trade rifle. The flints that came with the rifle are somewhat clear and have smooth top and bottoms. Clean back and front edge.

They work well but are quite different in appearance and shape from the Track of the Wolf English Flints I also use.

The Lyman flints work well. What are they made of and how do they shape them so accurately?

Marc

 

[wiscoaster]

Do they look like this?

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

cut agate!

 

[Marc H]

Wiscoaster, yes, that is a correct picture.

Dusty_Traveler thanks for the info. How does agate compare with flint for use in a flintlock?

Marc

 

[wiscoaster]

.... How does agate compare with flint for use in a flintlock?

If it's working for you all well and good, but it's a decidedly inferior flint for many flintlocks and many shooters. It would be my advice to buy the English or French flints offered by such vendors as Track of the Wolf.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

I have never used agate, just English black and French amber flints. They spark so good I haven’t ever wanted to change.

 

[bldtrailer]

that is a cut agate , a form of chert as is all flint (sio2 ) the problem is more the angle that it is cut at and is near imposable to knap a new edge. try English or French, or a USA chert like I make a 5/ 8 flint should fit

 

[flconch53]

that is a cut agate , a form of chert as is all flint (sio2 ) the problem is more the angle that it is cut at and is near imposable to knap a new edge. try English or French, or a USA chert like I make a 5/ 8 flint should fitView attachment 352674

The only way I could sharpen them is I had access to a diamond wheel grinder for sharpening carbide
That works good. No to knapping them for me

 

[BullRunBear]

One of those cut agates came with my Great Plains rifle. (This is an ancient memory.) It worked for a few shots but I replaced it with black English flints and never tried the cut agate flints again. Too difficult to try knapping the worn edge.

Jeff

 

[Marc H]

Group,

O.K. then. Flint is workable via "knapping" to develop a sharp edge, whereas Agate needs diamond tools.

Flint is formed in nature in a different manner than Agate.

Both works well in my flintlock, but the flint can be sharpened by myself.

Now I understand.

Marc

"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought he back"

 

[sportster73hp]

TC flints , if still available, are also cut agate . I fund them at gun shows occasionally.