Main and Frizzen spring too strong

[krasnayaznamya]

Hello!

I have a Short Land Pattern Brown Bess from Discriminating General that I really enjoy, with one small issue: The lock eats flints due to the main and frizzen springs being way too strong. It goes thru a flint every event (sometimes not making it even there), and I was hoping someone could point me to what I need to do to fix there.

I'm an amateur at this, so should I replace the springs (if so, who sells them?)? Is there a way to make them less gorilla-like??

Thank you for any help!!!

 

[rich pierce]

Sometimes it's the geometry that is causing flints to break up. In some cases, the frizzen flops back and smacks the flint, faster than can be seen. It's pretty tough to lessen the power of springs and the main and frizzen spring need ot be matched. This is just to say, there's no easy fix here.

 

[ffffg]

i have this problem with my mortimer.. try a bigger flint, that is the next size up.. if there is not enough room, knap or grind off the back of the flint.. not easy but could make your gun an excelent sparker,.. ... there are guys who time locks.. they are few and far between, .. find one that knows exactly waht is wrong and can make her work right.. the key here to me is to fix what is wrong, not make matters worse..the lock is the heart of the gun, get the lock right and half the battle is won... ...dave

 

[krasnayaznamya]

They seem to be tough springs. I'm used to the pull required, not only to close the frizzen and cock it, but also the pull required on the trigger is rather "healthy." When I fire muskets of guys in the regiment, I also take the hammer off backwards since they cock and release so easily...

It chips flint almost every single shot, with chunks ending up in the pan...

 

[ol vern]

Before you change anything else take a look at how the flint is striking the fizzen. If it hits it head on instead of sweeping down the fizzen it will eat flints big time. THe flint should hit the fizzen about 1/4 of the way down the face and sweep sparks into the pan. Try tilting the flint down a little by raseing the back of the flint with a extra peace of leather.( Or lead must not offend anyone.)