Russ Hamm Depleted Uranium Frizzen

[Grumpa]

Way back then, I saw one of those frizzens faced with depleted uranium. Didn't need a flint, a chunk of wood in the cock would send out a shower of sparks. No one wanted it, because it wasn't Period Correct! (And the deer would be spooked by your glowing in the woods. :grin: )

 

[Ken Cormier]

I remember those back in the 80's. Too much money time and work. I also did not want to glow in the dark. :youcrazy:

 

[Robert Wilson]

I don't want to get hammered on my first-ever post, here, but this topic got me to thinkin'....

As a Gulf War participant, I am aware of some of the special concerns regarding the use of depleted uranium! That said, has anyone ever tried messing around with the magnesium composites used in those fire-starting sticks? While I cannot light my pipe with one, I sure can get a fire started with one a little easier and faster than I can with a flint and steel, and I can produce a LOT of sparks, very reliably, in the process.

A magnesium composite insert, or coating, on the face of a worn, or poorly tempered, frizzen? A piece of tough, easily sharpenable steel in the lock? Or, a wedge-shaped piece of magnesium composite in the lock, against a steel frizzen? Is this possble? Has anyone tried it? Just askin....

On this, of all days, my special regards to all of my fellow veterans. I thank you for your service.

Bob

 

[bpd303]

Hi Bob and welcome to the forum. A very interesting question and worth exploring. I have used the magnesium fire starters and they do spark like crazy but the sparks seem to be smaller than flint on steel. May have to try a piece in the cock of my old musket.

 

[Brokennock]

Hi Bob, and welcome. I too have thought of this. One would have to "face" the frizzen with the material and place something in the cock to scrape it. The sparks are made by scraping material off the ferisium rod. If one put the rod in the jaws of the cock, the sparks would go the wrong way, if any were produced at all.
Can't see much point to it other than working better when wet.

 

,,has anyone ever tried messing around with the magnesium composites used in those fire-starting sticks?

That sounds great. You could use it with imitaiton black powder, in a gun with a plastic stock and a stainless steel lock and a scope. The more traditional things you can replace, the better. Who wants to use that old stuff anyway? :shake:

Why do people buy guns they don't like?

 

[BEP]

The guy is new here and already he gets jumped on? Really? He just asked a hypothetical question. Wow.

 

[Rick Boylan]

Some people just can't help but be posterior relief holes. :youcrazy:

 

[Rifleman1776]

When dp was in use, the sparks were wildly non-directional. That was just one of the reasons it was outlawed. They flew everywhere.

 

[Hans74]

I might be wrong but isn't lead decayed uranium? does this mean that we don't want to use lead round balls?

 

[19 16 6]

, has anyone ever tried messing around with the magnesium composites used in those fire-starting sticks?
A magnesium composite insert, or coating, on the face of a worn, or poorly tempered, frizzen? A piece of tough, easily sharpenable steel in the lock? Or, a wedge-shaped piece of magnesium composite in the lock, against a steel frizzen? Is this possible?
Bob

Man I've been thinking on it. :hmm:
10 flints - 5/8 inch = $55.00
1 postage = $8.00
Total = $63.00 Aust. :shocked2:
O.

 

[flyfisher76544]

If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it :blah:

Depleted Uranium(DU) is bad stuff. I worked on tanks and such things back in the day. DU is in the armor and was triggering G counters once it has been struck by a projectile or other things. No way would I even want that stuff on my flinter. Same thing when searching enemy vehicles, DU shells will leave trace elements behind.

 

[vacca rabite]

I have a friend with an old musket that he hunted with.

He carved out a channel in the frizzen and inset a magnesium strip.

Yeah, it sparked like a mother! It was also blindingly bright.

So the mag came out and he shoed the frizzen with steel.

Zach

 

The guy is new here and already he gets jumped on? Really? He just asked a hypothetical question. Wow.

It wasn't hypothetical. He asked if anyone had used magnesium fire starters.

And what does the length of time a person has been a member have to do with the content of their post? Facts are facts, no matter how long you've been here.

 

[Many Klatch]

A buddy of mine was out hunting and his flint fell out of his lock. He didn't have a spare, but he did have a few strike anywhere kitchen matches in his kit. He fastened two of them into the lock and was able to get his deer that way.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Many Klatch: I think your buddy may have given a new definition to the term, "match lock"!

Mr. Wilson: I like my Lyman Plains Rifle just fine. Since having the percussion lock replaced with an L&R flint lock, I like it even more. When my TVM Early Virginia gets here, I believe I will like that one, even more, but we'll have to see....

You assume much, Sir, from a straight-forward question, asked in association with a topic involving the use of depleted uranium frizzens.

 

[MSW]

without getting into specifics, my wife was still on active duty when we went into the sandbox the first time, and several of her fellow officers came back with what the DoD higher-ups referred to as 'vague symptomology.' when she told me what their symptoms were I said two words:

radiation poisoning.

and you want to put that stuff on a frizzen and touch it off a few inches from your face?!

now here's a scenario:

step one: the salesman shows you a new gadget, which produces a shower of sparks which rivals the Great Chicago Fire.

step two: out comes the wallet and away goes the cash

step three: your shooting buddies are all completely wowed by the gadget

step four: you're having a chat with an oncologist

up to you, but i'll make my smoke the old- fashioned way

OK - that's the end of the rant; it's safe to come out now...

 

[TNGhost]

Still want one :grin: