How long could a flint be expected to last?

[m1garand_man]

I have come across information more than once that a typical rifle or musket flint back in the 18th century was typically reliable for 16 to 25 shots. I was just reading "Kings Mountain and Cowpens" by Robert Brown and he quotes 16 shots as the life expectancy of a flint.

I am left wondering what was the cause of this short life expectancy. Was the issue problems with worn frizzens with grooves running perpendicular to the face? (I recently had to have a frizzen resurfaced because of this type of wear pattern causing my flints to get torn up quickly) Or was the issue more caused by problems with the quality of flints?

In my rifle flints typically last 50-75 or more shots with knapping maybe three or four times.

Could anyone lend any insight into this subject?

[Seth Isaacson]

Maybe 16 shots before needing to be knapped is what he's referring too? Its probably easier to just change the flint in the field though instead of trying to get the edge serviceable again.

The 1792 Militia Acts call for two spare flints (so three total) and 24 cartridges per militiaman. They don't seem to have expected to get many shots per flint, but as people here are well aware, not all flints are created equal.

"That every citizen, so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a knapsack, a pouch, with a box therein, to contain not less than twenty four cartridges, suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch, and powder-horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder; and shall appear so armed, accoutred and provided, when called out to exercise or into service, except, that when called out on company days to exercise only, he may appear without a knapsack."

[PPatch]

It would seem to me that in the heat and hurry of an engagement changing flints would be the quicker choice over taking the time to nap the edge of one. In my experience some flints break within a shot or two, while others just seem to go and go before needing attention. Facing battle I would bet that every man took care over every detail of his gear, and would have selected his best flints to carry and use.

As a rule my flints last 30+ shots with no trouble, it varies, I shoot fairly often.

dave

[stubshaft]

It may be because the military locks were not as finely tuned and balanced as they are today.  My flints generally average between 45 - 65 shots.  I've had some break on the first shot and some last a hundred.