Unknown Bess? the at

[hawkeye2]

Most military pieces use lead.

I flattened a .75 ball to hold the flint in my Bess and it's just the right size. To the best of my recollection the same piece of lead has been in there since the late 70's and still working. You can buy pieces of sheet lead from the suttlers that are cut to wrap musket flints with but they aren't necessary. Leather works but it doesn't always hold up to the strong blow of a musket lock and will allow movement.

 

[Rudyard]

I would prefer leather but lead was used . I knew Kit Ravenshear well Bought my first rifle barrel from him at the Framlingham Shop . He sold out to Coach Harness its owner subsequently became a Shakespeirian actor at Stratford on Avon . The First replica 1776 'Tower' rifle was made by me and I photographed it at Kits house in near Frackville PA . .Whoever made the Bess it looks tidy .
Rudyard

 

[Redcoat76]

That looks a lot like a second model idian model military heritage sells a lot of those with just serial number. If it is a older pedersoli like my long land pattern behind lock will say Italy and under the barrel will also say Italy. Good luck identifying

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Clearly an Italian lock. The high polish and pretty wood were special runs ordered in limited numbers from Pedersoli.

LD

 

[Tommy Bruce]

You can get lead sheets designed to hold the flint from either Najecki’s or Smiling Fox Forge.

Both have websites and I think the lead is like 1.50 or so. I like it much better than leather.