Rest in Peace, Dennis and Thank You.

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Author Topic: Because just like our ancestors, sometimes we have to improvise.  (Read 2403 times)

Offline WalnutRed

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I started shooting flintlocks in the early 70's. At the time Golden Age Arms was only about 20 miles away and buying black powder and flint was easy. However I was a teen and money was tight so I would walk my grandfathers fields and find "broken" flint artifacts and convert them into gun flints. Something that according to archeologist was not uncommon on the frontier. Unfortunately I've since learned that some of the flint shards I was converting into gunflints were probably uniface knife blades or small scrapers  :-[.

Fast forward to the 21st century and gun flints have gotten scarce and pricy, at least in my area. Last week while browsing an online auction I found an ad for new made flint arrowheads, 50 arrowheads for $20 shipped. I decided to give them a shot and placed an order. These are definitely somewhat crude, new made points but they do seem to be flint or chert of some kind. Just a few strokes of a knapping hammer resulted in a gunflint that fit my rifle and actually sparks pretty well. Only time will tell how they hold up in use and until I have more experience with them I would not use one hunting. But at .40 each I think they will work great for range time.


Offline okawbow

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Re: Because just like our ancestors, sometimes we have to improvise.
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2025, 01:20:56 AM »
Been using those for a couple years. Most work really well.
As in life; it’s the journey, not the destination. How you get there matters most.

Offline WalnutRed

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Re: Because just like our ancestors, sometimes we have to improvise.
« Reply #2 on: July 09, 2025, 02:56:44 AM »
I suspect these are knapped in Mexico and sold to wholesalers by the pound. I wish someone would show them how to knap gunflints. 

Offline beerd

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Re: Because just like our ancestors, sometimes we have to improvise.
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2025, 07:35:53 PM »
I suspect these are knapped in Mexico and sold to wholesalers by the pound. I wish someone would show them how to knap gunflints.

probably more money to be made in "arrowheads".
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Jakoś to będzie

Offline okawbow

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Re: Because just like our ancestors, sometimes we have to improvise.
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2025, 10:53:58 PM »
I suspect these are knapped in Mexico and sold to wholesalers by the pound. I wish someone would show them how to knap gunflints.
I believe they are jasper from India. They spark pretty good.
As in life; it’s the journey, not the destination. How you get there matters most.

Offline WalnutRed

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Re: Because just like our ancestors, sometimes we have to improvise.
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2025, 07:52:12 PM »
You are correct in that they originally came from India.  The supplier contacted me and offered a LARGE lot for .15 each.  When my wife and I set up at flea markets or gun shows I put a small box out marked "New Indian Made Arrowheads/, 2/$1.00".  Gives the kids something interesting to buy other than jerky.

Offline recurve

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Re: Because just like our ancestors, sometimes we have to improvise.
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2025, 11:42:49 PM »
Jasper is in the chert family (includes flint)  some say it knaps better after heat treating.  It should work just fine.
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