Flint Striker
Firing A Flintlock Rifle In Twelve “Easy” Steps
I wonder if we ever consider how easy we have it with modern firearms? Aim,pull the trigger and fire. We even have scopes that allow anyone to hit a target with pinpoint accuracy.
It was not always so simple. In the 17th and 18th centuries, before the advent of percussion ball and cap and long before metal cartridges appeared on the scene, loading a flintlock rifle was an involved process at the best of times. It’s hard to imagine how those shooters of long ago were able to perform all that involved business with an enraged grizzly or a determined enemy rushing at them!
Here are the twelve steps it takes to load and fire a flintlock rifle or musket:
1. Bite down on the paper cartridge and tear it open with your teeth.
2. Push the striker (called a <i>frissen</i>) forward and pour a small amount of powder into the flash pan.
<i>The powder in the pan was intended to ignite the main powder charge inside the firing chamber of the barrel, which would then propel the lead ball out of the barrel. However, the spark struck from the flint often caused a quick explosion in the pan which failed to ignite the main charge. This is where we get our expression, a “flash in the pan.”</i>
3. Push the <i>frissen</i> back into position to cover the flash pan.
4. Hold the musket with the muzzle pointing up.
5. Pour the rest of the powder into the barrel from the muzzle.
6. Insert a lead ball into the barrel.
7. Push the cartridge paper into the barrel (called the “wadding”).
8. Remove the ramrod from its storage pipe beneath the barrel and use it to push the wadding and the ball down the barrel.
<i>This was easier to do with a musket than with a rifle. The musket barrel had a slightly larger diameter, and its interior surface was polished smooth. A rifle had spiral grooves cut into the metal inside the barrel, which made the ball spin as it exited the barrel, thus increasing the accuracy of its flight. The fit of the bullet inside the barrel had to be tighter to impart the spin, so the grooves and smaller diameter made it more difficult to ram the wadding and ball all the way down to the firing chamber. Even though the rifle shot farther and more accurately, its slower rate of fire was the primary reason muskets continued to be used by military units until the late 1800s. Rate of fire was an important consideration in a battle where speed of firing was a matter of life and death. The invention of metal cartridges and breech loading (loading the bullet through an opening at the rear of the barrel near the firing chamber) finally put an end to the musket’s dominance in military use.</i>
9. Replace the ramrod in the storage pipe.
10. Raise the musket to a firing position, bracing the butt against the shoulder.
11. Pull back the hammer.
12. Aim and fire.
<i>We’ve all seen scenes in movies where an intrepid frontiersman, pressed for time by an approaching danger, simply left the ramrod in the barrel and fired, rather than removing it from the barrel and replacing it in the storage pipe. The ramrod then became part of the ammunition propelled out of the barrel when the charge fired. In an extreme situation where those extra few seconds were a matter of life or death, this may well have been done. But unless you had time to recover the ramrod from wherever it flew, the loss of it would render the weapon useless, so it seems unlikely that those frontiersmen made a habit of doing this. Whatever became of the ramrod once it was used, though, it is clear from the steps above that loading and firing a flintlock was far from a simple proposition, and Dan’l Boone and countless other frontiersmen and soldiers who used them certainly deserve our admiration for being able to do it with such a high degree of dexterity and skill.</i>
About the Author
JoAnn Graham is an internet marketer and author with 28 years experience in advertising and marketing.
She invites you to take a ride on a time machine. Now boarding for the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. March with the infantry in the Napoleonic Wars, stand on the deck of a Pirate Ship, hunt a bear with Daniel Boone on the early American frontier, stand with Wyatt Earp at the OK Corral, with the Union Troops at Gettysburg or the Rebs at Bull Run, in the trenches of World War I or a German bunker in World War II, on a secret mission with James Bond, on the streets with Dirty Harry. Get your ticket here: http://www.gunsofold.com.
Coghlan’s Magnesium Flint Striker
|
|
MUTT AND JEFF MODEL– FLINT AND STRIKER LIGHTER $995.00 |
|
|
IRON FLINT STRIKER /. FIRE STARTER LOT OF 100 $650.00 |
|
|
SEATED BULLDOG FLINT & STRIKER LIGHTER $295.00 |
|
|
RARE! 18th.c Tibet Iron Buddhist Monk Strike A Light Flint Striker Tinderbox $275.00 |
|
|
Kerr centrifugal casting unit well with striker flint and tongs $150.00 |
|
|
Earl 1800s antique Japanese flint striker / timber / tobacco pouch $175.00 |
|
|
Safavid Persian Fire Steel iron flint striker with Dragon 16th century $179.00 |
|
|
ANCIENT VIKING FLINT STRIKER (TINDER LIGHTER) $115.00 |
|
|
ANTIQUE FIRE STRIKER FLINT HIKING CLIMBING SURVIVAL SET $100.00 |
|
|
Vintage Circa 1930’s Match Kin “Army” Flint Striker Lighter! $99.00 |
|
|
Desert Striker with Flint MIB MOC MISB MIP Sealed Cobra GiJoe Hasbro $75.00 |
|
|
ENGLISH CRUSADERS FLINT STRIKER $85.00 |
|
|
18c. REVOLUTIONARY WAR HAND FORGED WROUGHT IRON FLINT STRIKER FIRE STARTER OVAL $79.00 |
|
|
18th Century Revolutionary War era or Earlier Flint Striker (ORIGINAL) $65.00 |
|
|
ANTIQUE REVOLUTIONARY WAR HAND FORGED WROUGHT IRON FLINT STRIKER FIRE STARTER $65.00 |
|
|
OLD OTTOMAN FLINT STRIKER FIRE STARTER-19century $54.50 |
|
|
OTTOMAN PIPE + FLINT STRIKER FIRE STARTER + FLINT $60.00 |
|
|
OLD HIKING MOUNTAINEERING BAKELITE FIRE STRIKER FLINT $50.00 |
|
|
10 PACK • Solid Magnesium Military Grade Survival Fire Starter Kit Flint Striker $57.75 |
|
|
LOT OF THREE OTTOMAN FLINT STRIKER FIRE STARTERS $45.00 |
|
|
LARGE STRIKER KNIFE FLINT & STEEL $50.00 |
|
|
2001 Gi Joe Desert Striker w/ Flint MISB Cobra $37.95 |
|
|
9 PACK • Solid Magnesium Military Grade Survival Fire Starter Kit Flint Striker $52.88 |
|
|
Damascus Steel Fire Starting Striker and Steel Flint (hand-made) $50.00 |
|
|
8 PACK • Solid Magnesium Military Grade Survival Fire Starter Kit Flint Striker $48.95 |
|
|
OLD OTTOMAN FLINT STRIKER FIRE STARTER-19 century $40.00 |
|
|
Revolutionary War Era Leather Tinder Pouch Flint Striker Strike A LIght 18th C. $42.50 |
|
|
7 PACK • Solid Magnesium Military Grade Survival Fire Starter Kit Flint Striker $42.98 |
|
|
OLD OTTOMAN FLINT STRIKER FIRE STARTER-19century $34.50 |
|
|
BUSHCRAFT DRAGON FLINT & STEEL STRIKER FIRE STARTER KIT $35.00 |
|
|
COBRA “C” FLINT & STEEL STRIKER FIRE STARTER KIT SCOUT $35.00 |
|
|
9 PACK Magnesium Flint Match Striker Fire Starter Survival Emergency Lighter $39.99 |
|
|
Rare Form 18th C Antique Forged Iron Flint Striker Strike A Light Primitive NR $39.00 |
|
|
Proforce ARMY Fire Flint Steel & Striker bulkpack $38.05 |
|
|
8 PACK Magnesium Flint Match Striker Fire Starter Survival Emergency Lighter $37.96 |
|
|
Magnesium flint lighter camp fire starter striker Big boys toy camping tool $0.98 |
|
|
RARE DECORATED FLINT STRIKER 6.2 cm GS $35.00 |
|
|
5 PACK • Solid Magnesium Military Grade Survival Fire Starter Kit Flint Striker $35.99 |
|
|
10x Wilderness Versatile Survival Flint Magnesium Striker Fire Starter $35.99 |
|
|
10 PACK Magnesium Flint Match Striker Fire Starter Survival Emergency Lighter $35.98 |
|
|
LARGE DECORATED FLINT STRIKER (RARE) 8.5 cm $34.95 |
|
|
LARGE DECORATED FLINT STRIKER (RARE) 9.4 cm $34.95 |
|
|
VIKING FLINT & STEEL FIRE STRIKER / NECK KNIFE $30.00 |
|
|
TWISTED VIKING FLINT & STEEL STRIKER FIRE STARTER $30.00 |
|
|
TWISTED DRAGON FLINT & STEEL STRIKER FIRE STARTER $30.00 |
|
|
HAWKBILL STRIKER NECK KNIFE FLINT & STEEL $30.00 |
|
|
VIKING FLINT & STEEL STRIKER $30.00 |
|
|
FLAT COBRA FLINT & STEEL STRIKER FIRE STARTER KIT $30.00 |
|
|
Flint Striker Viking Saxon Celtic Roman Pirate Lighter $27.65 |
|
|
Real Flint Fire Steel Striker Starter Bushcraft Kit $25.20 |
|
|
Real Natural Flint Fire Starter Steel Striker Bushcraft Kit / Tinder Box Tobacco $25.18 |
|
|
Giant Misch Metal 12.7mm x 102mm Fire Starter Flint 6 Sided Super Alloy Striker $25.28 |
|
|
Viking Dragon Ship Flint and Steel Fire Striker Strike $25.00 |
|
|
OLD OTTOMAN FLINT STRIKER FIRE STARTER-19 century $25.00 |
|
|
Viking Dragon Ship Flint and Steel Fire Striker Strike $25.00 |
|
|
Ten (10) Flint Magnesium Fire Strikers/Starters – Thick Magnesium Rod + Thin Rod $32.95 |
|
|
6 PACK • Solid Magnesium Military Grade Survival Fire Starter Kit Flint Striker $32.57 |
|
|
OLD OTTOMAN FLINT STRIKER FIRE STARTER-19century $24.50 |
|
|
OLD OTTOMAN FLINT STRIKER FIRE STARTER-19century $24.50 |
|
|
Single Replacement Striker Flints 30241 12pk $31.99 |
|
|
Master Cutlery HK-106320 Outdoor Fixed Blade Knife, 7.5-Inch Overall $4.95 This is the Mini Full Tang Survival Knife Magnesium Fire Starter. The Blade of the knife has been constructed from 440 Stainless Steel with a tanto point. The sheath is tough green nylon with a belt loop. The knife includes a magnesium rod fire starter…. |
|
|
Gerber 31-000699 Bear Grylls Survival Series Fire Starter $8.48 The product of collaboration between Gerber and survival expert Bear Grylls, the Survival Series Fire Starter is a must-have for scouting, camping, and hiking expeditions. Small and compact, this fire starter offers years of use. Watertight construction keeps tinder safe and dry, so when you need it, you can trust that it’s ready to use.Survival Series Fire StarterAt a Glance:Compact fire starter … |
|
|
SE 2 X 3/16 Flint/Fire Starter w/ Lanyard $0.01 Flint/ Fire Starter with Lanyard, size 2 in. X 3/16 in…. |
|
|
Austrian Windproof Lighter $11.89 Imco Super lighter comes without original packaging. Shipment does not include any manuals or instructions on how to use the lighter…. |
|
|
Striker Flint Gas Lighter $2.95 This hooded lighter is safe, and economical. The hood traps gas, and protects the lighting file. Replacement flints are also available. Sold as an each…. |
|
|
Flameless All Weather Magnesium Rod Bar Flint Fire Starter with Steel Scraper Striker Steel Scraper (Survival Tool For Military Hunting Fishing Camping Hiking Trekking Climbing Outdoor Sport) Brand new Magnesium rod bar flint fire starter.Start fire easily and quickly, generates intensely 3000 degree C (5500 degree F) hot sparks with minimal effortPerfect survival tool for military, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, trekking, climbing outdoor activities.Bright spark – can be used as emergency signalWeatherproof and fireproof. Perform well in moist weather or low temperature.Applicable… |
|
|
RANGER FLINT & STRIKER FIRESTARTER $7.98 Military Ranger Flint and Striker Fire Starter GSA approved. Currently used the US Marines and US Air Force. NSN: 5110-99-565-2549. dependable and effective. extremely compact, designed to pack into the smallest survival kits. scarping the flint p… |
|
|
GI Joe Desert Striker & Flint Figure $39.93 GI Joe Desert Striker & Flint Figure… |