The story was that flintlock shooters were buying these old salvaged flints and finding that they were much stronger performing and longer lived than modern 'shop-bought' pieces that are not cheap to buy.
-My latest reading casts a better light on this small issue - it seems that back then the English Brandon Flint Works (Suffolk) was the major Government contractor supplying the British Ministry of War with flints for their Service issued flintlock arms. This flint was knapped from nodules found in chalk - having variable colourings but all completely natural and of proper hardness - that makes the old, real knapped flints mostly 'self-sharpening' and long lasting.
- The problem with 'modern' flints is that the suppliers heat-treat or 'bake' the raw material for many hours - even days - to make the cooked flint more brittle and easier for the knapper to work. This treatment can be detected by the flints having a "waxy sheen & texture" and results in these modern produced flints being too hard and having a tendency to shatter when the gun is fired - and the striking edge quickly disintegrates. - You pay more - and what do you get?
In his booklet 'Gun-Flints And How to Make Them' GJ Kelly explains all this - and also describes the chemistry and mechanical make-up of flint - how it is worked - and how black-powder shooters can save their money by making their own flints that will out-perform current shop bought items.
He is charging only ninety-five cents ($0.95) for his book loaded with valuable experience - so if you are a do-it-yourself 'smoke-pole' enthusiast get on to your Kindle and get with it.
- A 'mystery' solved ? - it sounds like it to me anyway. - Good shooting - Have fun - Life is Good.
Marty K
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