Author Topic: Flints? (Read 7618 times)

shooter93 · « **on:** March 31, 2009, 05:14:41 AM »

I've read where some people say to use lead to hold the flint and others the traditional leather..Pros and Cons here? Thanks.

Brian Jordan · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2009, 05:21:47 AM »

I will be querious to hear the response to this also. I have always used leather, but often wondered the advantage if any of lead.

Scott Bumpus · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2009, 06:03:38 AM »

I have used both and settled on the leather. The lead will get loose and allow the flint to fall out if not kept tight. Some say the leather allows more bounce and may eat up flints faster, never seemed to have this problem on my rifle. I hated getting to the next station on a woods walk to find my flint gone, happened several times with lead wrap.

Acer Saccharum · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2009, 06:11:44 AM »

I have heard the extra weight can strain the cock, sometimes causing the cock to crack or break.

I don't really know what there is to it. But lead, being heavy, it may even slow ignition time down, because of the greater inertia in the heavier piece to get moving. It's late and I may not be typing what my mind is trying to say.

Lead will losen up, as it is will continually extrude out of the jaws, while leather has some give or cushion and will continue to grip after many shots. When the leather gets hard, ie: loses its spring, toss it and put in a new piece.

roundball · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2009, 06:13:54 AM »

Nobody would ever confuse me with a purist, but I believe leather was the traditional flint wrap and on that alone it's what I use...plus, I'm fortunate to get excellent ignition and flint life so I've never had a reason to look at anything else.

Nate McKenzie · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2009, 06:25:49 AM »

In the old days lead was usually used on military muskets or at least that is what I read someplace.

Chris in Washington · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2009, 07:28:21 AM »

This lock is from a model 1816 musket. The flint is held in with a piece of lead. Not for sure when the flint was last changed, but the lock has been in storage for the last 20 or so years.

Jim Filipski · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2009, 02:27:49 PM »

In the Revolution issued muskets mostly used lead and were supplied by the military stores along with the flints. American British & French
Jim

rdillon · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2009, 05:48:38 PM »

I use leather my self. I agree the weight of the lead could damage the cock. Leather works just fine!

J.D. · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2009, 06:01:57 PM »

I have used both, and IMHO, which one works best depends on the lock and the thickness of the flint.

One of my locks seems to work better with lead, but my other locks don't seem to care, not that I have done any serious testing.

To be honest, I don't know why this particular lock seems to spark better with lead, though it might only be my imagination.

In nearly 30 years of shooting flint guns, I have never seen a cock break, so IMHO, try 'em both and see if there is a difference.

Just kinda thinkn'...typn' out loud, so to speak...type.

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2009, 06:40:22 PM »

I believe that lead does not have the shock absorbing quality of leather. The energy of the flint colliding with the frizzen will shatter the flint more readily in lead than in leather. Leather is more resilient than lead. Once lead is compressed, that's it. It does not spring back as leather does. I think leather holds the flint better and safer. I use the cuff leather from welding gloves and aprons.

hanshi · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2009, 08:09:29 PM »

Always used leather as it was easy to work with and never had any complaints. I tried lead a few times but could see no advantage. My understanding is that lead was a military expediency and civilians preferred leather.

Brian Jordan · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2009, 11:45:31 PM »

It sounds to me like you should use leather, and save the lead for your roundballs.

hanshi · « **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2009, 11:59:13 PM »

Yep, cause leather is lots easier to come by than lead.

Roger Fisher · « **Reply #14 on:** April 01, 2009, 02:36:41 AM »

Leather! And change 'em at times.

George F. · « **Reply #15 on:** April 01, 2009, 02:53:19 AM »

I have had flints loosen up and fall out, and I only use leather. I think it's deer hyde. Geo.

hanshi · « **Reply #16 on:** April 01, 2009, 02:58:08 AM »

Me too, but it was always because the cock jaws became loose.

Karl Kunkel · « **Reply #17 on:** April 01, 2009, 05:43:00 AM »

I always understood lead was used in military muskets (stronger spring, more robust cock). Leather was used on long rifles.

I thought that I read on the old forum that use of lead voided a Chamber's Warrantee?

Burgess_rudy · « **Reply #18 on:** April 02, 2009, 05:34:34 AM »

Quote from: Kunk on April 01, 2009, 05:43:00 AM

I always understood lead was used in military muskets (stronger spring, more robust cock). Leather was used on long rifles.

I thought that I read on the old forum that use of lead voided a Chamber's Warrantee?

That's how I have mine. Thin Lead on my Brown Bess and Leather on my Chambers Virginia Rifle.

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Author Topic: Flints? (Read 7618 times)

shooter93

roundball

rdillon

J.D.

George F.

Burgess_rudy