Need a new Frizzen?

[GO OutDoors]

I have a Dixie Gunworks Tennessee long gun in 50 cal and have been looking to replace the frizzen and have had no luck finding it.
Is there anyone that knows where to get one or one that will interchange?

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Look at Track of the Wolf on line catalog! If in doubt, call them they are good to work with.

 

[rafterob]

Or if it is just because it doesn't spark, consider having the frizzen faced with a strip of metal. I had that done to an old Dixie Belgian flintlock. The gunsmith used a strip of bandsaw and riveted and soldered it in place. You can't see it unless you examine it really close. Sparks like crazy! Don't recall the term for that, shoe or sole?

 

[rich pierce]

Test it for hardness with a new fine file. If you can file it, and the file does not skate, it does need hardening. Replacement frizzens are not always plug and play. If delivered drilled and hardened and tempered, you may or may not get a good fit to the pan. If not drilled and hardened and tempered then experience is needed.
Deep case hardening is a very good choice. When I’ve done pack case hardening I wrap the parts with 1/16” thick soft steel wire, which comes in a roll. If all went well, when I pry the wire off it snaps because it is hardened through and through. That indicates deep case hardening. I temper at 450 degrees for an hour then re-temper the toe to purple/going blue with a torch.

I've done the half soling as well. The frizzen must be ground back at least the thickness of the sole. I’ve used file steel and 1095 as a sole. Not a trivial operation.
Brad Emig of Cabin Creek tunes all sorts of locks. Not cheap- skilled work is not - but great results are reported.

 

[OldRust]

Right or left handed ? and is it an early Belgian made rifle or the later Japanese. I just bought a lefty Japanese frizzen and the gentlemen has a couple more left hand.

Thanks
O.R.

 

[GO OutDoors]

Right or left handed ? and is it an early Belgian made rifle or the later Japanese. I just bought a lefty Japanese frizzen and the gentlemen has a couple more left hand.

Thanks
O.R.

Japanese made and a right hand.

 

[GO OutDoors]

Test it for hardness with a new fine file. If you can file it, and the file does not skate, it does need hardening. Replacement frizzens are not always plug and play. If delivered drilled and hardened and tempered, you may or may not get a good fit to the pan. If not drilled and hardened and tempered then experience is needed.
Deep case hardening is a very good choice. When I’ve done pack case hardening I wrap the parts with 1/16” thick soft steel wire, which comes in a roll. If all went well, when I pry the wire off it snaps because it is hardened through and through. That indicates deep case hardening. I temper at 450 degrees for an hour then re-temper the toe to purple/going blue with a torch.

I've done the half soling as well. The frizzen must be ground back at least the thickness of the sole. I’ve used file steel and 1095 as a sole. Not a trivial operation.
Brad Emig of Cabin Creek tunes all sorts of locks. Not cheap- skilled work is not - but great results are reported.

The file skates across the frizzen. It sparks just fine I just want to be ahead of the game when it is need to be replaced.

 

[appalichian hunter]

I would think you would need to shoot a lot before the frizzen needs replacement and I mean a lot.

 

[rich pierce]

A through-hardened frizzen will last 20,000 shots. A case-hardened one at least 5,000 shots.
Springs are the most likely part of a lock to fail.

 

[toot]

I shop around, I have gotten one from THE LOG CABIN SHOPE. and THE GUN WORKS. try them. just a thought?

 

[GO OutDoors]

I shop around, I have gotten one from THE LOG CABIN SHOPE. and THE GUN WORKS. try them. just a thought?

Thanks

 

[gerryherd]

Half soling a frizzen is a good option to consider. Even if you find a replacement entire frizzen you will likely have to harden the face, which is a bit tricky if you haven’t done it a few times (risk is brittle frizzen that might snap).

 

[ugly old guy]

Contact Dixie.
They sell replacement lock parts and complete locks for all their guns.
At least they did before the kids took over.

 

[JCKelly]

Band saw steel, or old round wood saw blades, are Ideal metal and hardness for a frizzen surface.

 

[Sam squanch]

Convert it to percussion and bid on those overpriced caps on e bay.......

 

[SDSmlf]

The file skates across the frizzen. It sparks just fine I just want to be ahead of the game when it is need to be replaced.

Find a local shop to case harden your frizzen when the time comes. Stop worrying.