is the venthole to high?

[horsetrader]

Gentleman, here another question. I am offered a "unfired" flintlock pistol. Was looking it over and so far so good, besides the venthole looks very high. Has a liner installed and the center of hole is over 1/16 inch (0.064") over the top of the pan and 0.179" from bottom of pan! Is this normal or will it cause a problem? Can't go and shoot the gun , so I need your advice!

 

[Zonie]

IMO, as long as the vent hole is totally covered by the top of the pan cover at the bottom of the frizzen there should be no problem.

If you can see the vent hole peeking out above the pan cover when the frizzen is closed then reject the gun.

When the pan flashes that flash forms a ball of fire that is well above the top of the barrel so even though the vent is a little high it is still buried in the fireball.

 

[horsetrader]

Zonie,
vent hole just shows when frizzen is closed, is there a way of fixing it? I was thinking of taking out liner,install threaded rod ( bolt) and redrill a 1/16 flash hole....

 

[Zonie]

That would work.

I used the threaded portion of a bolt to make the vent liner I installed in my Queen Anne and it worked just fine.

Although you will have to locate the hole after the liner is installed you might want to look at my Queen Anne post to see how I held the little length of threaded material to file it. http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...p?tid/193295/post/263703/fromsearch/1/#263703

Also when buying a bolt you may want to look for one that's made out of stainless steel. It will be able to take the hot gasses without eroding as fast as low carbon steel will.