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Offline IronBrigade

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Flintlock question
« on: March 25, 2012, 05:34:12 AM »
I have to polish my frizzen around every 100 shots or so and I also have to resharpen my flints between 10 & 15 shots. is this the norm? does it mean my frizzen is too soft? A friend told me the frizzen spring seems to be real stiff on my pedersoli flintlock could this be the cause of my problems?  I'm pretty new at this flintlock shooting so please bare with my ignorance.
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Offline lakota

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Re: Flintlock question
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2012, 10:52:50 AM »
I have heard a lot of people say the frizzen springs are too strong on Pedersoli locks.
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Offline keith44

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Re: Flintlock question
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2012, 05:23:09 PM »
Quote from: IronBrigade on March 25, 2012, 05:34:12 AM
I have to polish my frizzen around every 100 shots or so and I also have to resharpen my flints between 10 & 15 shots. is this the norm? does it mean my frizzen is too soft? A friend told me the frizzen spring seems to be real stiff on my pedersoli flintlock could this be the cause of my problems?  I'm pretty new at this flintlock shooting so please bare with my ignorance.


This is not normal.  A flint should not need to be knapped for many rounds, and a frizzen should not need to be polished more than twice during its life (if that much).


Yes the frizzen spring on my Pedersoli is pretty stiff, but that is the only mechanical issue I've had with mine.  Which model do you have? What flints are you using?


Take a look here:
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/182/1/FLINTS


eng-4 is recommended for Pedersoli (and is what I use most often)


at the top of the page there are tabs labeled view 1, view 2, etc. Views 3, 4, and 5 show what to look for in fitting a flint to the lock.


PM or post here if you need more help

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Offline IronBrigade

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Re: Flintlock question
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2012, 09:21:22 AM »
 Keith
I'm using Tom fuller English flints eng-5.  I was thinking of getting my lock tuned, Maybe they can lighten the spring a bit. Thanks for the advise, I will double check to make sure my flints aren't out too far.
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Offline keith44

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Re: Flintlock question
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2012, 07:14:04 PM »
Good plan, yes the frizzen spring can be lightened, there are a couple ways of doing it, just be sure what ever they do they do not soften the steel.
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Offline Ron T.

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Re: Flintlock question
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2012, 07:25:44 AM »
I'd suggest you have BOTH the frizzen spring AND the cock (aka "hammer") spring lightened.  Both are probably FAR too heavy.  These heavy springs are what is causing your flints to need sharpening after only 10 to 15 shots.

As far as your frizzen goes... it should not need polishing nearly as often as every 100 shots... or even every 1,000 shots unless it is too soft or the heavy springs are causing the face of the frizzen to be all marked up, sliced and pitted which is a strong possibility.

Lightening those two springs will possibly cure all your rifle's ills... or maybe not.  But take one step at a time... lighten the two springs, polish the face of the frizzen and wipe the frizzen pan clean of debris and crap...  and go from there.

Good luck... and make GOOD smoke...  :)


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.
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Offline IronBrigade

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Re: Flintlock question
« Reply #6 on: May 21, 2012, 02:25:51 PM »
Ron
Sent the lock to a guy named Earl Kathan ( flintlockrepair.com ) to get it tuned up. He lightened both springs and hardened the frizzen. What a difference! the lock is lightning fast and I'm getting around 25 shots before I have to sharpen it a little. :) Now I'm making some good smoke. ;)
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Offline hillbill

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Re: Flintlock question
« Reply #7 on: May 21, 2012, 03:14:55 PM »
well good deal! ive not got a flinter yet but im stockin up on info!
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Offline Semisane

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Re: Flintlock question
« Reply #8 on: May 23, 2012, 04:00:40 PM »
Why are you polishing the frizzen IronBrigade?  Is it getting badly gouged?
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Offline keith44

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Re: Flintlock question
« Reply #9 on: May 23, 2012, 04:24:32 PM »
I have met some who insist on keeping the frizzen nearly scratch free.  I prefer to not mess with either flint nor frizzen.  Once the flint has mated with the frizzen face it is good to go for a long time  ;) .  Changing flints and even sharpening flints as long as the face of the frizzen is not gouged deeply or so unevenly that the production of a spark is hindered, the frizzen is all but ignored.
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Offline Semisane

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Re: Flintlock question
« Reply #10 on: May 23, 2012, 05:41:48 PM »
I have at least 500 shots out of my Great Plains .54 and have never polished the frizzen.   Here's what it looks like today (still sparking just fine).
 
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Offline IronBrigade

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Re: Flintlock question
« Reply #11 on: May 28, 2012, 12:09:24 PM »
Hi Semisane
Yes, My frizzen was getting gouged and my flints weren't lasting very long. I sent the lock to Earl (recommended by TOW) and he told me the frizzen was soft, he also lightened the frizzen spring and removed the roller off the bottom of the frizzen and smoothed it out. I can't believe the difference. Earl is a great guy to do business with, I got my lock back with in a week.
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Offline Semisane

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Re: Flintlock question
« Reply #12 on: May 28, 2012, 02:13:12 PM »
That's great Ironbrigade.  A properly working flintlock is a thing of joy.
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