Today I tried out some changes in my lock timing fixture to get ready for Friendship. Up until now I couldn't time left-handed locks - now I can. I used the Everly Siler, even though it's RH, to try out the changes in the fixture. I did a dozen trials and found the average. The fixture worked fine and the lock was flawless, but a surprise showed up that had nothing to do with the fixture or lock.
First the lock's average was slightly better than my workhorse Siler which is an excellent lock. The surprise became evident when I looked at the trials in halves. Take a look:
1---.0443----------------7---.0482
2---.0453----------------8---.0510
3---.0441----------------9---.0492
4---.0402---------------10---.0547
5---.0461---------------11---.0524
6---.0452---------------12---.0509
-------------------------------------------------
----.0442---------------------.0511 Averages
----.0021---------------------.0023 St. Deviations
If all trials are considered together the average is .0476 with a st. deviation .00416
I thought it was interesting to see that while the two halves have very consistent standard deviations, the speed slowed in the second half. There was no indication as I tested that the times were slowing. It's not hard to speculate that we are seeing the deterioration of the flint.
Perhaps as we fire flint guns, the edge deteriorates but we don't realize it until we have a hang fire or a misfire. We always say, "I should have knapped my flint one shot sooner." I'd speculate that we simply don't have the senses to detect this when it actually begins to happen.
This has shown up in a couple of other earlier tests, but in those test there were variables that prevented drawing an conclusions. Here I feel we are seeing gradual flint wear. This may be unique to this flint; I don't know. I thought it was worth reporting. This idea and 50 cents might buy you a Coke.
Regards,
Pletch
