New Toy! My First Flintlock!

[Bumpy Rhodes]

If it were mine, I would put a bead of silver solder on the crevice and then file it down. The powder flash should be cooler than the melting point of silver solder.
Larry

Thanks, I think the next order of business is to give it a try. If it turns out to be a basket case I won't spend any more time on it. If it looks good, I'll start investing in repairs.

 

[Griz 54]

I washed the bore and ran my $10 ebay USB bore scope down it. There is visible rust for the first 2.5" where the charge sits, rifling is thin but visible. After that the bluing appears with small rust spots all about, rifling looks ok. Then at about 7" from the breach there a a few rings of rust with rings of blued bore between, rifling is clearly visible throughout the rings. After about 8", it looks pretty good, 90% is my guess. I don't see any evidence of pitting, only surface rust.

I don't like the look of the crown, which is absolutely critical in modern rifles, not sure how much it matters with a patched ball. I may consider having it recrowned if the rest of the project goes well.

Now I need to find some patches and balls and give it a try!

If you want to re crown , you can get a ball file on ebay ND use it in a brace. Little to no pressure a turn slow

 

[Bumpy Rhodes]

The touchhole is in the middle of the screwdriver slot. Should I countersink it a bit?

 

[bldtrailer]

if a .50 it should have a 1-66 barrel #40 drill cloth 490 ball good lube . the pan can be deepened and polished mirror bright to get the center of touch hole into the sunset position there are after market frizzen to replace the worn one. kroil oil works to remove rust
https://www.deercreekproducts.net/store/p1649/CVA_Frizzen_-_P362.html
if you want a counter sunk touch hole look up the ones installed with allen wrench
start at 25 yrds get on paper then shoot supported from a solid bench get good groups then work to 100

here is a sight in target at 100 yrds traditions 32 inch 1-66 barrel 490 ball #40 drill cloth tallow lube 65 grn 3f swiss

 

[bldtrailer]

you can use marker on the lock area that touches barrel it will mark the high spots and can stone the lock flatter to fit using a diamond flat sharping stone or try to get a replacement lock

 

[S.Kenton]

Another thing that might help some, is to polish the pan a bit. Make it as shiny as one can. Also, might think about running some 0000 steel wool WD-40 down the barrel to smooth things out a bit if the bore is a little rough. Another thing I noticed and I’m not knocking your rifle in anyway, but that frizzen looks beat, if it gives you much trouble you might think about replacing it. Other than that enjoy and be safe!

 

[Grenadier1758]

The touchhole is in the middle of the screwdriver slot. Should I countersink it a bit?
View attachment 372997

The touch hole should be drilled to 1/16". A slight countersink won't hurt but is probably not necessary. Use your bore scope to verify that the touch hole liner doesn't extend into the bore to catch on the cleaning jag.

 

[LSLibelo]

Welcome from California.

 

[duca]

Hope you didn’t spend to much money on that thing

 

[Togo]

You didn't mention the powder type so I will add my 2 cents. Make sure the 3F powder you use is real black, GOEX, Schuetzen or Swiss. Substitutes will not provide the proper ignition needed in your flintlock.

 

[Crowtalks]

View attachment 372734

Welcome to the brotherhood!

 

[Crowtalks]

Looking at the rifle, I wonder if this Traditions flint came from the manufacturer with the inlay or if that was a buyer kit addition?

 

[mikesto44]

Just remember it's not a toy. Not sure if its worth all the trouble with the issues it has. Tradition guns don't carry a lot of resale value. Also with flintlocks get the best you can afford. Cheap is not always better.

 

[wesred101]

Welcome to the fun

 

[Rebel bull]

after using something to check if the lock is truly against the barrel (i use bright red lipstick purchased 40 years ago it doesn't take much) if it needs to have more metal then add more if you don't weld a trip to a local welding shop costs little and have them tig it ti won't take much I doub't it will cost $50

 

[Banjoman]

I have and sometimes shoot muzzleloaders like Jukar, CVA and Traditions. They shoot okay but my main and favorite gun is a Chambers flintlock. Night and day difference between a top of the line gun and run of the mill entry level guns.

 

[Bumpy Rhodes]

I didn't spend much, I think. The Penn rifles retail about $1k and are about $800 plus tax or shipping on sale. I paid $425+tax. I didn't see a big downside if I decide to sell. Besides, I can fix things, I often repair the unfixable. I figured I'd give it a try.

 

[Bumpy Rhodes]

Picked up some .016" cotton and .490 Hornady balls. The local store didn't have patch lube, I'll have to order some.

Are there any home lube formulas? Like maybe Crisco? I'd sure like to try it today or tomorrow.

Thanks guys!

 

[Bumpy Rhodes]

after using something to check if the lock is truly against the barrel (i use bright red lipstick purchased 40 years ago it doesn't take much) if it needs to have more metal then add more if you don't weld a trip to a local welding shop costs little and have them tig it ti won't take much I doub't it will cost $50

Yeah, it's against the barrel ok, and TIG is the way to go, just want to make sure it's worth spending $30-$50. I have done small stuff with my MIG, it's very tricky, but I might try it when I get to that point.

 

[Bumpy Rhodes]

if a .50 it should have a 1-66 barrel #40 drill cloth 490 ball good lube . the pan can be deepened and polished mirror bright to get the center of touch hole into the sunset position there are after market frizzen to replace the worn one. kroil oil works to remove rust
https://www.deercreekproducts.net/store/p1649/CVA_Frizzen_-_P362.html
if you want a counter sunk touch hole look up the ones installed with allen wrench
start at 25 yrds get on paper then shoot supported from a solid bench get good groups then work to 100here is a sight in target at 100 yrds traditions 32 inch 1-66 barrel 490 ball #40 drill cloth tallow lube 65 grn 3f swiss

Thanks, I know how to shoot, have been competing since 1974, just only 1 month experience with blackpowder and zero with flintlocks.