I've got a Caywood .62 tradegun. I really like the gun, but the lock is a flint eater (5 - 10 shots per flint). I think the main spring is too heavy. Anyway, does anyone know a good gunsmith (preferably in eastern Ontario) who could properly tune my flintlock?
Flintlock Gunsmith?
- Thread starter The Baron
- Start date
You are usually considerably better off to have a strong mainspring and a weak frizzen spring with a flintlock. I would suggest there are two avenues to pursue; one is playing with the angle of the flint as it strikes the frizzen (should not be square on) and the second is the strength of the frizzen spring. If reducing the frizzen spring, grind the side away rather than making it thinner top to bottom.
cheers mooncoon
Update - I called and spoke to someone at Track of the Wolf. He was very helpful and told me that 10-20 shots from a flint is about average, and I could get more if I re-knapped the flints (I knew that, but I have tried knapping and gave up). He suggested if the gun is sparking well and firing quickly (which it is) that I am best to leave it as is, so that is what I will do. I really don't shoot that much, so flint life is less important than having the gun go "boom" when I need it to. When I really thought hard about it, I probably get an average 10-12 shots per flint. I have had some bad flints (4-5 shots) but that is not the norm.
I had been led to believe that any less than 20+ shots per flint was terrible, so maybe that was bad info.
I had been led to believe that any less than 20+ shots per flint was terrible, so maybe that was bad info.
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I shoot a flintlock about 1/2 the time and would certainly consider 10 -12 shots between knapping poor. I would consider 20 to be acceptable but would prefer 30 and would expect close to 100 per flint total for about 2 or 3 knappings.
I would suggest knapping using a piece of 3/16 brass rod about 3" long and angled at about 45 degrees to the top of the flint and striking only the last 1/32" of the flint and striking it with your short starter. My short starter by the way is mallet shaped with an antler head on it rather than a round ball. I am able to drive flakes up to 1/4" long or deep although about 1/2 to 2/3 of that is more common.
cheers mooncoon
I would suggest knapping using a piece of 3/16 brass rod about 3" long and angled at about 45 degrees to the top of the flint and striking only the last 1/32" of the flint and striking it with your short starter. My short starter by the way is mallet shaped with an antler head on it rather than a round ball. I am able to drive flakes up to 1/4" long or deep although about 1/2 to 2/3 of that is more common.
cheers mooncoon
Mooncoon... yes, that kind of flint life is what I was told, so maybe the TOTW guy is wrong? This is my first flintlock, so I have no comparison.
I have read about flint knapping and tried it, but I just can't seem to do it. I figure I'll need some hands on training. I am keeping all my dull flints, in case I eventually get the knack of knapping 'em.
I have read about flint knapping and tried it, but I just can't seem to do it. I figure I'll need some hands on training. I am keeping all my dull flints, in case I eventually get the knack of knapping 'em.
I differ from Nessy (and many others) in that I use a drift or punch to knap with. I feel that I get a lot more control with that method as it allows me to set the angle and location of the blow very precisely. I put the #### at half #### and strike the drift a sharp smack with my short starter in order to drive the flakes off. I see a lot of people using the back of their knife and striking more or less straight down which I think is a mistake. You will notice that Nessy is striking on an angle backwards and that is inmportant although as above, I think the brass rod or drift angled back and at a bit more of an angle gives more control and better results.
cheers mooncoon
cheers mooncoon
- Location
- West coast of Vancouver Island
That does seem to be a very short flint life. Heck even with my Bess I'm getting 50 to 60 shots per flint. I must admit I had my lock tunned by a master gunsmith. IMHS you try an oversized flint say one size up and see how long it lasts.
Cheers
. IMHS you try an oversized flint say one size up and see how long it lasts.Cheers
I use black flints. I bought a bunch of the tom Fuller ones from Track of the Wolf.
I very much appreciate the help you guys are so quick to offer. I even received a few PM's with tips, and I fell bad there just hasn't been any time for me to reply to them. I'm sorry I have been swamped with work.
I will watch that video and maybe revisit me failed attempts to knap a flint. If I get a chance to give knapping a try, I will be sure to post up how I do at it.
Thanks again for all the tips. You guys are great.
I very much appreciate the help you guys are so quick to offer. I even received a few PM's with tips, and I fell bad there just hasn't been any time for me to reply to them. I'm sorry I have been swamped with work.
I will watch that video and maybe revisit me failed attempts to knap a flint. If I get a chance to give knapping a try, I will be sure to post up how I do at it.
Thanks again for all the tips. You guys are great.
