bulk deal on flints

[bones92]

Just a heads-up... if anyone might be interested.

IMA-USA has a deal on bulk flints... $29.95 per pound.  Seems guys are getting 30-40 good flints out of each batch.  Evidently, these were leftover in part of the large stock of arms coming out of Nepal, so they're quite old.

I ordered a pound, and I can post results when I get them, if anyone's interested.

[EC121]

My guess is they are musket flints from the big load of military muskets they found in a warehouse in Nepal several years ago.

[bones92]

Yes, I think you're right.

[grabenkater]

I am very interested in what you receive, Bones.

[Mike Brooks]

Just guessing.....they are going to be musket size and not the quality we're used to today. I'd send what you get to Rich Pierce if they aren't usable. He's good with rocks.

[bones92]

You may be right, Mike.

Here's the page...
http://www.ima-usa.com/original-18th-century-british-and-french-flintlock-musket-flints-sold-by-the-pound.html

[Mike Brooks]

You may be right, Mike.

Here's the page...
http://www.ima-usa.com/original-18th-century-british-and-french-flintlock-musket-flints-sold-by-the-pound.html

Those look pretty good. Even some French spalls in there.

[hanshi]

They do appear to be mostly good quality.

[David R. Pennington]

I ordered some. At that price if nothing else they will be good for flint & steel fire starter kits.

[JB2]

I'm ordering a pound just so I can tell my mother about them.  She was born in Brandon.  I was born up the road a piece;)

[bones92]

I probably have the least need for a pound of these as anyone on this forum, but I've learned to take advantage of a good deal when it comes along.  Plus, it's fascinating that these were likely made for British military issue, and are likely ~200 years old.

When they describe these as musket-sized flints, does that mean they will be typically large?  I.e. 5/8 to 3/4" wide?

[Mike Brooks]

Probably closer to an 1" or 1 1/8".

[bones92]

What tools should I get in order to narrow these down?   Could I potentially use a stone-cutting tool along the side to yield a more narrow flint without changing the chord contour?

[Mike Brooks]

What tools should I get in order to narrow these down?   Could I potentially use a stone-cutting tool along the side to yield a more narrow flint without changing the chord contour?

I'd use the "Rich Pierce" tool.

[David R. Pennington]

I have reshaped flints with diamond bench hones and water for lubricant.

[Stoner creek]

I'm getting some. Who knows? We may actually stumble on to something here.

[Flint62Smoothie]

What tools should I get in order to narrow these down?

I made a jig, actually copied it, test fits onto my diamond-wheeled tile saw. The jig pictures and 'how to' were posted on another MZL'ding forum ...

Works GREAT to re-sharpen them to boot! And anything sharpened but too small for my 7" long Fusil de Boucanier, then fits my fowler, which then fits my Hawken ... until they're given to a friend w/ a small 36- cal flinter ...

[David R. Pennington]

Received the flints yesterday. Here is the inventory of the ones I received:
French amber 12, useable as received 5, recoverable for use 7, chards 0
English 27, useable as received 3, recoverable for use 21, chards 3
Total 38

Sizes:
10/8 - 10
9/8- 18
8/8 - 4
7/8 - 3

Most look used, I would suggest they were removed from obsolete muskets brought into armory for storage.

[bones92]

Hopefully I get the same luck.  I expect to have to work on them some, but as long as most are usable I'll be pleased.

[Bill Paton]

I went out on a limb and got the 5 lb deal. None look unused, but many are usable. I am pleased with the number of French amber rounded back flints that came. None were smaller than 7/8 and one is a whopping 14/8 wide. Another is close to it, probably for a wall gun or cannon lock, I think. Although I was initially disappointed that they were all used, most are not used-up and they make an interesting collection of period material. I now have several lifetimes worth of musket flints!

An on-line source notes that French flints were the overwhelming majority in use in the F and I war, and even in the Revolution, and by 1812, about half the flints were English.

Bill Paton

[RonC]

I bought a lb and received:
1 x 1 1/8 - 7
1 x 1 1/4 - 3
1 1/8 x 1 1/4 - about 17

These definitely are musket flints.
Ron

[hanshi]

I ordered a pound a couple of days ago.  A friend and I will split the cost and the flints. 

[Gun_Nut_73]

I ordered 2 lbs. and they arrived Monday,  Sorting through them, I found about a dozen that I cannot find  an edge on.  ie: all sides are well rounded.  I will use these first to practice my knapping.  Here is a rough summary:

14 cannon sized amber flints. 
 6 musket amber flints
24 musket black flints
12 rifle-pistol flints (3 black, 8 amber)
 8 musket flints finely flaked top and bottom.  I do not know what they are called.

79 flints total

I think this was a good deal.

[bones92]

5 years on...

So IMA-USA still has these, and so I ordered a 2-lb pack.  I figure at the least I can use the a Dremel diamond wheel to narrow some down.  Should last me and my son indefinitely.

[TonyM]

Well, I bought 2 # about 18 months back. Every one was a used flint, and worn out. All but 6 or 8 were big musket flints. Sent them all back and got a prompt refund.