This post is mostly for fun but might be informative to some who are new to the flint lock game. The flints shown are as what we would call "gunflints". Not all pictured are made of flint rock.
#1 Is one of those not a rock. This device, a sorta zippo style sparker, was made about 2003 by a gent named Tom Kyper. He stated it was an updated version of the wheel lock. He tried to patent it but, apparently, could not patent a 400 year old idea. He sent this to me asking that I write a product review for him. I didn't get right to it because to use a hunk of leather had to be glued to the frizzen face. Before I tried it out he contacted me and said he could not get approval from various state game and fish commissions for use as a flintlock. I believe he was also told by NMLRA it did not fit their rules for a flintlock rifle. I don't believe he ever got it to market. I kept it as a curiosity.
#2 Is not a flint rock either. It is a manufactured ceramic gunflint. I have never used but suspect it would work just fine.
#3 Is a rock but not flint. It is a sawn gunflint from novoculite. Novoculite is stone found in a part of Arkansas and is most commonly seen as sharpening stones. I have tried these but have not had good luck with them as sparkers. They can be purchased but are scary expensive.
#4 Is knapped flint rock but is pure white. This flint is found in various locations. Much is found in east-central Missouri and our own Rich Pierce used to make and sell flints from this rock. Those who have used these flints speak well of their sparking qualities.
#5 These are rock but some will debate they are not 'flint rocks'. These are sawn flints of several types of rock. e.g. agate, jasper, jaspis and others. These came from Gunter Stifter in Germany. Gunter is gone but his business carries on and this type of flint is still available but prices are prohibitive. I used them for many years and
could argue they may be economical to use because of extreme longevity in a good lock. I still have about a dozen unused and may use them in my new rifle currently being built by Dave Person.
#6 Yellow knapped French flint rock. Very popular with some. I don't have enough experience using them to comment.
#7 Black English knapped flint rock. By far the most recognizable and widely used flint. Can't go wrong with these.
#8 Another knapped black English flint, just showing because of large size. This one fits the Brown Bess.
#1 Is one of those not a rock. This device, a sorta zippo style sparker, was made about 2003 by a gent named Tom Kyper. He stated it was an updated version of the wheel lock. He tried to patent it but, apparently, could not patent a 400 year old idea. He sent this to me asking that I write a product review for him. I didn't get right to it because to use a hunk of leather had to be glued to the frizzen face. Before I tried it out he contacted me and said he could not get approval from various state game and fish commissions for use as a flintlock. I believe he was also told by NMLRA it did not fit their rules for a flintlock rifle. I don't believe he ever got it to market. I kept it as a curiosity.
#2 Is not a flint rock either. It is a manufactured ceramic gunflint. I have never used but suspect it would work just fine.
#3 Is a rock but not flint. It is a sawn gunflint from novoculite. Novoculite is stone found in a part of Arkansas and is most commonly seen as sharpening stones. I have tried these but have not had good luck with them as sparkers. They can be purchased but are scary expensive.
#4 Is knapped flint rock but is pure white. This flint is found in various locations. Much is found in east-central Missouri and our own Rich Pierce used to make and sell flints from this rock. Those who have used these flints speak well of their sparking qualities.
#5 These are rock but some will debate they are not 'flint rocks'. These are sawn flints of several types of rock. e.g. agate, jasper, jaspis and others. These came from Gunter Stifter in Germany. Gunter is gone but his business carries on and this type of flint is still available but prices are prohibitive. I used them for many years and
#6 Yellow knapped French flint rock. Very popular with some. I don't have enough experience using them to comment.
#7 Black English knapped flint rock. By far the most recognizable and widely used flint. Can't go wrong with these.
#8 Another knapped black English flint, just showing because of large size. This one fits the Brown Bess.
