Wind and Blackpowder

[Gold Grizzly]

Do the Flintlock Rifles have a "shield'' of some kind around the primer pan to keep the wind from blowing the blackpowder out or a rain storm from blowing the blackpowder out ?

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

The frizzen covers the pan when closed

 

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

Well, certainly the frizzen covers and slightly waterproofs the pan. Builders generally take great pains for a tight, smooth mating of the frizzen to the pan.
Many hunters use a "stall" over the frizzen in inclement weather. Otherwise it might be a good idea to carry the rifle with the lock portion protected by tucking it into your underarm.

 

[Gold Grizzly]

The frizzen covers the pan when closed

I kinda figured that it would but wasn't sure. I need to do some studyin, thanks !

 

[IanH]

If you have observed a shield affixed to a flintlock on the outboard area of the pan, it is to prevent the hot jet of gas and embers ejected from the flash hole during the firing even from singeing the fellow standing next to you.

 

[Gold Grizzly]

Well, certainly the frizzen covers and slightly waterproofs the pan. Builders generally take great pains for a tight, smooth mating of the frizzen to the pan.
Many hunters use a "stall" over the frizzen in inclement weather. Otherwise it might be a good idea to carry the rifle with the lock portion protected by tucking it into your underarm.

Yes, good idea.

 

[Gold Grizzly]

If you have observed a shield affixed to a flintlock on the outboard area of the pan, it is to prevent the hot jet of gas and embers ejected from the flash hole during the firing even from singeing the fellow standing next to you.

The Olde Timers had it figured out.

 

[IanH]

Hammer stalls are a safety, often used when priming the pan prior to loading from a paper cartridge.

"Cow's Knee" is a wet-moulded piece of leather which covers the entire lock and breech area with the frizzen closed and hammer at half-cock and acts as a tent to keep rain off of the firing works.

 

[Grimord]

In real windy weather, or rain, I use a tube of Chapstick to rub along the seem of the pan and frizzen to keep moisture out and to prevent an errant breeze from blowing out the prime.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Others have already given you your answer. When I hunted with mine in inclement weather I carried the rifle with my bare hand over the lock area. I did this because I really loved having the skin on my hand chapped raw by the rain and cold. Some have said my Ma didn't raise no bright child.............

 

[tnlonghunter]

In real windy weather, or rain, I use a tube of Chapstick to rub along the seem of the pan and frizzen to keep moisture out and to prevent an errant breeze from blowing out the prime.

I was gonna add something to this effect. Some kind of sealant - chapstick, beeswax, etc. - can keep out most snow, mist, drizzle, etc. If it's raining any harder than that, I'm hunting the butcher section at Safeway.

 

[reddogge]

Some use a beeswax dam to prevent rain from running down the barrel into the pan and some pans are designed with a waterproof feature that isolates them from this problem. At least one of my rifles has one of these locks.

 

[waksupi]

Many years ago, our group had an old 56 passenger bus we would take to western nationals. On one trip back home while crossing a big stretch of desert, one of the guys experimented with a flintlock in the wind. We were doing 60 mph. He stuck the rifle out the window, and the flintlock fired every time.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

take an old welding glove. Cut it into a pattern with tendrils that can be tied beneath so you can secure it but remove it easily. Take the glove leather and soak it in neatsfoot oil. wring it out and set it in paper towels to soak up the excess. A sort of tent over the works that can be easily removed when the shot comes. water an snow will not reach the works beneath...always worked for me...

 

[PathfinderNC]

The Olde Timers had it figured out.

That’s a modern addition and a safety requirement used in reenacting. I never saw a flash guard on a period piece (yet).

 

[Ballshooter]

Beeswax and a cows knee is all I need in the pacific NW

 

[CyrusP]

Many years ago, our group had an old 56 passenger bus we would take to western nationals. On one trip back home while crossing a big stretch of desert, one of the guys experimented with a flintlock in the wind. We were doing 60 mph. He stuck the rifle out the window, and the flintlock fired every time.

An old-school drive-by.

 

[Rancocas]

An old-school drive-by.

Clip clop. Clip clop. Clip clop. BANG Clip clop. Clip clop. Clip clop.

Amish drive-by shooting. >)

 

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

If you are in the habit of carrying your flinter barrel up, when it is raining hard, you can use a condom* over the muzzle to keep the rain out. Worked in more recent times in some danged jungle somewhere.

*NEW - not used.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

We here in the pacific north wet get to hunt in the rain, snow and wind.
I use a crayon and coat the pan lip and bottom of the frizzen with this wax.
It seems to go off every time I need it to.