Is it time to case harden the frizzen?

I have a Cabelas (InvestArms) flintlock hawken. It has 100-150 shots through it now, and it's not sparking as well as it used to, even though I've tried different flints. Do you think maybe I need to re-harden the frizzen?

I sure wouldn't think so. I've fired mine considerably more than that with no issues.
But stranger things have happened.
Did you buy it new? If so, contact there customer service if you can't get it working.

No frizzen should wear with 100-150 shots and almost all frizzens are hardened all the way through now. Check the hardness with a fine needle file. It should skate across the surface, not dig in. I really doubt you wore through a thin case-hardened skin. It's likely something else.

I'd look at the flint and insure it has a good, straight edge rather than an irregular edge.

Look for a protruding area in the forward edge of the flint which is striking the frizzen before the rest of the edge of the flint can contact the frizzen. Such a "protrusion" would cause EXACTLY the problem you're having.

It is most unlikely that you need to re-harden the frizzen, but as was mentioned before, ANYTHING is possible.

Jus' my 2¢... :wink:


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

I checked the surface with a needle file, as you suggested. The file did not dig in, but rather skated across the surface. Maybe I bought a bad batch of flints, although I don't understand how "rock" can be bad! It's not like it's manufactured!

Flints can be bad even though they all look pretty much the same. I've had flints that wouldn't spark at all and others (identical) that wouldn't quit sparking till they were worn to nubs.

Flintlocks should not be so picky and should spark well with most any reasonable flint. It's odd that it sparked well at first and does not now. Some of these things cannot be solved online, but having an experienced flintlock shooter examine it might result in an immediate and permanent fix.

Maybe the hammer angle is different now than it was. Maybe it was soft and bent just enough to not spark well. One thing I do know is that I can't notice a difference in angle between the new and old TC locks and there is quite a difference in performance. Just a wild as guess but ya never know.

Some " flints" are Manufactured- made of agate that is cut. When the cutter cuts the stone, he doesn't attempt to take into consideration the Natural fracture lines of the stone. Instead, he just cuts the rock in any direction that suits his purpose.( making as many "flints" from a rock as possible.)

Knapped flints are PRODUCED by taking into consideration their natural fracture lines, using percussion techniques to produce a gunflint. They are always a better flint to choose than a cut "flint".

The Tom Fuller flints from England are a standard for this industry, and Rich Pierce's knapped flint using flint from the Missouri deposits, are also good flints. There are other flints people on this forum make using a variety of materials, like Jasper, that also perform well. They are generally available for sale commercially. Then there is the Yellow " French-Amber" flints from France. Some are good; others aren't. I can't recommend them to shooters for that reason, when a good English flint, or a flint made by Rich Pierce is available at a reasonable price.

If you are new to shooting flintlocks, just Mounting the flint properly in the jaws of your cock may require instruction and coaching from an experienced flintlock shooter. If the flint is NOT mounted correctly, you may have trouble getting sparks from it.

Paul

Paul has a good point. If you are using those store bought cut flints, get rid of it and get yourself a real rock. Talk to Rich here. He knaps some real nice ones :thumbsup:

joehenz said:

I have a Cabelas (InvestArms) flintlock hawken. It has 100-150 shots through it now, and it's not sparking as well as it used to, even though I've tried different flints. Do you think maybe I need to re-harden the frizzen?

Click to expand...

If its cast of some non-sparking alloy like 4140 etc it may need casehardening every couple of hundred shots.
BTDT. Finally faced the frizzen.

Dan