[rinavy]

Hello All, Anyone, re-enactors especially, ever heard of "Positive Stops" or "Secondary Stops" on flintlock musket flashguards?

[oneshooter]

Might this refer to an object called a "frizzen cover" made of leather?

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(g0qq5j45k05junbbwhb04345))/categories/partList.aspx?catID=1&subID=6&styleID=1170

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas

[rinavy]

That was my first thought except a frizzen cover, also called a hammer stall, isn't part of or connected to the flashguard. Why I have asked is that the Militia Company I belong to has been "invited" to participate in a Rev War battle re-enactment as part of a Continental Line company and that Commanding Officer has stated that he wants to inspect the muskets of those who want to take part and said in particular he needs to make sure all muskets "have positive stops or secondary stops on their flashguards", I've been shooting BP almost 40 years & re-enacting the Rev War 15 years and have never heard of "positive stops" or "secondary stops" on flashguards or anywhere else for that matter, never seen or heard of anything attached to flashguards.

[BigG]

He's not referring to a half cock notch? Positive, safe, unable to pull trigger?

[rinavy]

Found out what positive/secondary stops on flashguards are.
The indentation under the screw hole is a positive stop, if frizzen screw loosens it will prevent flashguard falling down out of position. A secondary stop (not shown) is a small tab above screw hole bent right angle inward, serves same function but requires hand fitting.

[ky_man]

That's a flashguard to prevent the blast of hot air/powder from peppering your neighbor's face. You should never stand to the right of a right-handed flintlock shooter without one (within reason). Most events/reenactments require these to be installed.

I've also seen touch hole liners blow out and become lodged in nearby trees, wouldn't want the full force of one of those to hit you in the face, either.

I use a Chambers White Lightnin' liner and 1-2g of 3f prime in my pistol and 3-4g in my flint rifles. Any more is overkill and takes too long to ignite anyways. I usually dispense 5g in the pan and swipe the excess away with my finger before closing the frizzen, leaving about 3-4g.