I ben shootin my TC 50 enough. Now i got this hankerin to make sparks but must be doin something wrong. My trade gun was hit and miss with the flint. Thought it was the gun so i dig out the harper ferry. Still hit and miss. Some go off some dont. Always get good sparks. What am doing wrong?
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Hhuummppff
I will stay out of this one. noway
I tried everything short of enlarging flash hole. Can someone post pics of where flint should strike frzzen? Is there a recommended flashhole size? Should i just stick to cap guns? Dang i got all these flintlocks and get jittery everytime i take them out.
Being a newbie has it downside
Hhhhhuuummmmpppfff
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Quote from: XLIV on August 06, 2014
I tried everything short of enlarging flash hole. Can someone post pics of where flint should strike frzzen? Is there a recommended flashhole size? Should i just stick to cap guns? Dang i got all these flintlocks and get jittery everytime i take them out.
Being a newbie has it downside
Hhhhhuuummmmpppfff
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Where to begin.... Every lock and every rock is different.... I would have to see video to even begin to offer any advice... but some of the more knowledgable folks may have som general guidlines... ll I can say is that my 14 rock locks all spark and ignite the powder in the pan 99.9 % of the time in dry weather
Cool, well i wont give up then just yet. I was begging to wonder how people even fed themselves back then.
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Just a thought. I was told in the beginning to make sure and not put the primer powder too close to the flash hole. It can actually obstruct a good ignition flash. I know it's simple but if your getting good sparks I assume your primer powder is going off?
Thats a very good point, I use only a grain or two of 3 f in my pans - it always looks like it won't do the job but it does!
Can not send pic with this pile of junk but most of mine the flint strikes about half way down the frizz en. I do have one the like the flint bevel turned up instead of down,
on half cock flint should only be 1/8" away from frizzen. Adjust flint bevel up or bevel down to attain this 1/8"
Flint face should be even with frizzen so the flint strikes all across face of flint.
Use quality flints. I prefer French flints, also English flints. I have poor results with Arkansas cut flints, the type that T/C sells suck in my locks. German cut Agate work in certain locks.
What kind of powder do you use in the flash pan? If possible, Best to use REAL black powder 3f or 4f
As said use very little powder in flash pan. And keep powder away from flash hole as stated. Otherwise it acts as a fuse and causes hang fires.
Use a flash hole pick before each shot to be sure flash hole is clear to the main charge.
Polish flash pan, til it shines. Then after a few shots wipe out pan to be sure there is no moisture present to delay ignition
Check out this : answers most questions you may have;
http://www.muzzleblasts.com/archives/vol4no4/articles/mbo44-3.shtml
Flintlocks are like wives. They all like/want something different. You just have to figure out what it is. [hmm]
..all good tips. thanks men. I'll check the link. Was hoping I didn't have to make wall hangers out of these. So far I haven't used any substitute. 2F and 3F for the pan. TOW flints..(english I think). Reminding me that guns are like women proved injurious. Got my tongue stuck in the lock..thanks
Hope I didn't offend anyone with my crotchety old man grumblings. I'll just spit instead.
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edit to add: Wow..good link. I'll read this twice!
All good advice. Flintlocks are only reliable with black powder in the bore and in the pan. It's been proven that ignition is best when prime is banked toward the touch hole. Don't use too much prime, just a little. The flint should be tight enough in the jaws so it doesn't move when you try to wiggle it. It should also SCRAPE down at least 2/3 of the frizzen face. Yes, those T/C flints are garbage; I prefer the English. Usually 1/16" is excellent for a touch hole. Sometimes, especially on factory built guns, the frizzens are too soft for reliable ignition and will need to be hardened. My flintlocks have American built locks and are reliable. Replacement locks are available from L&R but that should be a last resort.
Quote from: XLIV on August 07, 2014
Hope I didn't offend anyone with my crotchety old man grumblings. I'll just spit instead.
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ROFL Crotchety old man, ha that fits many of us here on TMotC. ROFL ROFL
edit to add: Wow..good link. I'll read this twice!
WE forgive you .... whipping whipping whipping
I didn't know that spitting was allowed! :blech:
Quote from: Dogshirt on August 07, 2014
I didn't know that spitting was allowed! :blech:
You have to be able to hit the spitoon... so no you are not allowed to yet ROFL ROFL
I'm TAD here in way northern ca for a while. Found a little town that has baseball to basketball size obsidian in the ground. Thought I might bring. Couple home for knife material when I learn how to knap. Even found an arrowhead that was almost finished and the base broke. Historical misery. Thats how my life will be looked at in the future.
Thanks for all the help (and laughs). Cant wait to get home and make some smoke.
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Pitoooooieeee
Good shot XLIV, hdslp make that Spitoon sing!
With all the laws in Northren California -make sure it is legal for you to collect any rocks before you gaet yourself in trouble! wtch
;D Pitoooyey.... splat :blech: Dang i missed. I gotta get me one of these ancient tools ya'll speak of. Say its fired by a rock?? That some strange doins says I. Must be Voodoo involved. My old friend Capt Bartholomew told me bout such goins on when ha sailed through Jamacia.
Dern if you aint right. Need a permit to mine obsidian. But not if I just pick up off the ground. Yer a pretty fart smella. Ok officer, this 45 lb rock was in my way so i threw it in the truck so 's noone trip on it.
Found a 'drop tube' today at a yard sale. Think its for loadin BP cartridges
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Piittttooooiiieee
ROFL " pretty fart smella" slap ROFL ROFL
Smart enough to have left Norhtren California in the '70's and Never looked back! whipping Course I left just in front of the Draft Board... pnic
Course I left just in front of the Draft Board... pnic
sounds the opposite of me. 1 year trade school, stayed in Boston, tried to enlist and was rejected, sleep walker, and upon arrival at my quarters, found a FAT letter that said GREETINGS. 3 years in the army and never returned to Boston, my second home.
Quote from: Dogshirt on August 07, 2014
I didn't know that spitting was allowed! :blech:
This is Cali- do as I say not as I do-fornia! Obsidian is considered a native american holy relic and you are not even allowed to look directly at it, let alone pick it up. And spitting is illegal everywhere inside the borders of our rapidly turning brown state.(Unless of course you are firing a flintlock.)
Aaacchhh ppiittttooeee
Well, I don't chaw but I do shoot flint. Since I do have a little NDN ancestry I will pick up, dig up or otherwise acquire any obsidian I wish for. Even if I were 100% Bulgarian I'd still do it.
Quote from: Hanshi on August 09, 2014
Well, I don't chaw but I do shoot flint. Since I do have a little NDN ancestry I will pick up, dig up or otherwise acquire any obsidian I wish for. Even if I were 100% Bulgarian I'd still do it.
I was being facetious, strpot although they did outlaw spitting in our county a couple of years ago, seriously, but that ordinance was so stupid and unenforceable that it just kind of faded away.
Quote from: pilgrim on August 09, 2014
Course I left just in front of the Draft Board... pnic
sounds the opposite of me. 1 year trade school, stayed in Boston, tried to enlist and was rejected, sleep walker, and upon arrival at my quarters, found a FAT letter that said GREETINGS. 3 years in the army and never returned to Boston, my second home.
I left by joining the Air Force and serving for several enlistments...
My sister met her husband in the U S Air Force. Last assignment was were they still live. Colorado Springs. The military is not so bad once you adapt.
Quote from: pilgrim on August 12, 2014
My sister met her husband in the U S Air Force. Last assignment was were they still live. Colorado Springs. The military is not so bad once you adapt.
Some folks say the same thing about prison. ROFL
Quote from: Hanshi on August 12, 2014
Quote from: pilgrim on August 12, 2014
My sister met her husband in the U S Air Force. Last assignment was were they still live. Colorado Springs. The military is not so bad once you adapt.
Some folks say the same thing about prison. ROFL
pnic Never been - Don't plan on going, heck ain't even ever been arrested yet! Been investigated some but have always been able to balance on the knifes edge... :mini-devil-28492:
noway I'm not, of course, casting aspersions; they stick to my fingers, anyway. [hmm]
Well I do believe it is time to say this thread has officially derailed. pnic Can we at least attempt to get back on the track of the original posts? hdslp
I lived in Springs for a year .. Then up to cripple creek for year. Shot my first BP gun at 10,000 feet. Ok, so I'm gonna take all these wise words and try my harpers ferry again. Wish me luck.
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Piitttttttoeeeee
Took out one of my flinters last week and had so many dud trigger pulls I felt like hammering them all into shovels. :qz: Was cleaning it at home when I noticed that the flint was just a bit loose in the jaw. hdslp Tightened it up a bit and made 20 successful shots in a row with powder & paper stuffed down the barrel. So that failed shooting day goes down to operator error. rdfce I've got to remember to give a thorough preflight check every time I go out. So you may want to spend some time tweaking with the rock before you head out and you should be able to have a successful shoot. (Apparently just don't let me mess with it ROFL)
I've still got a 1/4 section of fence that needs tightening. ROFL
Quote from: Dogshirt on August 17, 2014
I've still got a 1/4 section of fence that needs tightening. ROFL
Down Boy! good puppy.... :) be nice and I'll let you chase the kitty