That little chunk of leather that holds the flint.

Regarding that little chunk of leather that holds the flint in the lock,
(does it have a proper name?) Does it matter what type, or thickness of leather one uses?

Thanks!

 

[Rat]

I don't think so. To some very small degree, thicker leather will raise the flint slightly higher in the jaw, and a thin piece will set it lower.

Rat

 

[Flintleather]

The chunk is called a flint leather.I prefer soft leather not too thick deer or soft cow about a 1/8in thick.

 

[rifleshooter2]

I call it the "little chunk of leather that holds the flint" I've tried the lead but the leather seems to hold the flint better
Andy

 

[Bushwhacker]

wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, Let's make up a name: GIZMO, WHACH A MA CALLET, DO HICKY, THING A MA JIG, OUT FIT, THINGY, awwwwwww shucks I give up. What is it?? :: ask Rat

 

[Jack Walker]

I use a lead piece made to hold the flint and grab the lower jaw on the hammer.

 

[Rat]

It's called the FLEATHER.

Rat

 

[Bushwhacker]

FLEATHER :applause: haha ROTF LMAO :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: OMG what's gonna be next? :hmm: :redthumb:

 

[BLAHMAN]

It's called the FLEATHER.

Rat

NO!NO!NO! I dated Fleather! Her name was Fleather Hickisome.

 

[davidthered]

Then perhaps it's called a Lint???

Don't shoot me.
:sorry:

 

[weirdjack]

"jaw pad"
Dixie still sells a reproduction of a lead military jaw pad from an 1817 musket.
I prefer leather....1/8' thick usually. Lead tends to be inert when you tighten the jaw screw, it takes on the shape of whatever compresses it, but has no "tension" once it is compressed. Leather has tension and also pads the flint.
I read a neat trick in Pilgrim's Progress that I have not yet tried though. Cutting the leather pad with a hole to hook around the back of the jaw post. Prevents it from falling out when changing or repositioning the flint. I'll have to try it.
WJ

 

[musketman]

wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, Let's make up a name: GIZMO, WHACH A MA CALLET, DO HICKY, THING A MA JIG, OUT FIT, THINGY, awwwwwww shucks I give up. What is it?? :: ask Rat

I call them "Flint Diapers"... :winking: :haha:

Now, how often do you change it?

Every time you install a new flint or whenever it gets worn out...

 

"jaw pad"
I read a neat trick in Pilgrim's Progress that I have not yet tried though. Cutting the leather pad with a hole to hook around the back of the jaw post. Prevents it from falling out when changing or repositioning the flint. I'll have to try it.
WJ

It really helps to settle the flint in the jaw just right, and also helps when you have a flint that is just a wee bit long. I've been doing this for a long time and wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[roundball]

"jaw pad"
I read a neat trick in Pilgrim's Progress that I have not yet tried though. Cutting the leather pad with a hole to hook around the back of the jaw post. Prevents it from falling out when changing or repositioning the flint. I'll have to try it.
WJ

It really helps to settle the flint in the jaw just right, and also helps when you have a flint that is just a wee bit long. I've been doing this for a long time and wouldn't have it any other way.

I also punch a hole in the middle of the bent area of my flint leathers to to eliminate the thickness of the leather at that point so the flint & leather can slide back further if needed, right up against the jaw screw...but never heard of making two holes for the jaw screw to pass through to keep the leather from falling out...never had one fall out so I guess I never thought about it

 

How about Flint condom, or larry flint :crackup:

 

[rabjr]

In the book "The Southern Arsenal" about Harpers Ferry Arsenal, this is called a Flint cap. Is this something that was readily known as back then or just the authors idea of what it should be called?

 

Thanks for the answers!

 

[DanL]

I use worn out leather work gloves and cut them up into appropriate sizes for the flint. The fingers can be used for a hammer stall on the frizzen also. I made up a leather flint wallet that holds 4 spare flints. I super glue the flint leather to the flint and keep them in the wallet and take out as needed, install it and toss out the old flint and used leather. This keeps me from having to keep up with them separate and fumbling around with them to get them installed. It is not PC but then again I am not PC anyway.

DanL