quality of sparks

[Larry Pletcher]

In the last few days I have been trying to photograph a flintlock's spark production.  The process involves an untried computer interface coupled to the flash.  What I wanted to do did not work, but some of the photos are interesting.  Would you be satisfied with this spark production?




This last pic was photographed in total darkness.  The only light is provided by the sparks.  (BTW this is a 20+ year old L Siler that has fired thousands of times but has never been on a gun.  It has been the test bed for numerous experiments.)

Regards,
Pletch

[Kelhammer]

Great pics Larry.

[hanshi]

Looks pretty spectacular to me.

!Jozai Senjo!  "always present on the battlefield"

[volatpluvia]

Larry,
Wish pyrite sparked like that on a wheellock, hee, hee!
volatpluvia

[northmn]

When I started building, the Siler lock was considered about the best you could get.  Looks like they aren't all shabby. 

DP

[Daryl]

Looks about right, Pletch. That lock has some life left in it for sure.  Also looks like it wants to be on a rifle.

[Leatherbelly]

Hey Larry,
 That lock is sparking away too much. Email me for addy to send it to.

[Larry Pletcher]

Hey Larry,
 That lock is sparking away too much. Email me for addy to send it to.

Leatherbelly,
It sure is a sweetheart, isn't it.  It was first used for research when writing the Journal of Historic Armsmaking Technology  Vol IV.  It was our standard when making comparisons with original locks for that article and then with reproduction locks since.  I appreciate your kind offer to care for it, but I think I'll hang on to it.     As Daryl said it deserves to be on a rifle.  Before I retire it, I expect I should do that.

Regards,
Pletch

[Teach]

Great Pics as usual Larry !
Have you had a chance to try that "Foxfire priming agent " ?

Cheers Bob.

[Larry Pletcher]

Great Pics as usual Larry !
Have you had a chance to try that "Foxfire priming agent " ?
Cheers Bob.

Good Morning,
No, I regret that I haven't timed "Foxfire" yet.  I should have gotten to it, but now have the wrong fixture set up.   For priming powder, I use a fixture that holds the lock with a solenoid that contacts the lock sear.  Time starts when the sear trips and stops with the pan photo cell.  Right now we're geared up with a different one that doesn't use a solenoid or a lock for that matter.  Switching back and forth isn't a big pain, but we'll probably finish off the breech tests before changing back.

A fair comparison would be to run Foxfire against both Swiss and Goex 4fg powders.  Normally I'd alternate the three priming powders so that flint wear would be less of a factor.  The lock in the photos would be the lock of choice.  I didn't keep track, but the last photo was after probably 12-15 strikes into a new flint.

Regards,
Pletch

[Teach]

Thanks Larry, if you need a 1/2 grain measure, I normally make a "scoop" from a branch or twig approx 3/32" in dia, also it works best to close the frizzen and bump the powder towards the vent, always want have some against the vent, even if you only have a dusting in the pan.

Cheers Bob.

[Mad Monk]

Teach,

Are you the "Teach" that used to live down near Philly??

E. Ogre

[Teach]

Not guilty, I'm from Vancouver Island BC

[Larry Pletcher]

Thanks Larry, if you need a 1/2 grain measure, I normally make a "scoop" from a branch or twig approx 3/32" in dia, also it works best to close the frizzen and bump the powder towards the vent, always want have some against the vent, even if you only have a dusting in the pan.

Cheers Bob.

For our experimentation I weigh out priming on a balance scales and pour into empty cartridge cases --30 or so at a time.  By the time I use those up, we have to air out the garage anyway.

"bumping powder toward the vent?" --  a man after my own heart.  The March issue of MuzzleBlasts has the magazine version of the "Pan Vent Experiments" that is on my web site.  Banking prime away resulted in 15%+ slower than close to the barrel.

Regards,
Pletch