flint to percussion conversion

[1858rem]

i was wondering if anyone had done a flint to percussion conversion on a traditions kentucky rifle kit. i am very happy as is, but i have no way to get bp (the real stuff) other than online and at a minimum order of 10lbs at a time thats EXPENSIVE=, i searched the site here and found a little on percussion to flint convert, but that suggested a new barrel and lock, for that price id just get a whole nother kit! just wonderin if its been done by anyone here and how it turned out?

 

[StrawHat]

I have done it to two rifles for friends, neither one a Traditions so not sure if it will be the same.

Both of the rifles I worked on had Long flint locks and I was able to buy the percussion version from Long. A little filing and they were a good fit in the mortise. I installed a drum and nipple and the percussion conversion was complete.

I also provided a vent liner so they could change back to flint as they desired. Eventually, both switched back to flint and never again changed to percussion! No big deal as both used the locks to build up a percussion rifle.

I would imagine a percussion version of the lock would be available to fit your rifle.

Good luck with your conversion.

 

[Voodoochile]

You can probably get the Lock assembly dirrectly from Traditions but you may need to contact them through the phone to order it being that their sight may not have those parts listed.

As far as a Percussion drum kit, if you can remove the vant liner from the barrel & get the thread pitch & size you can go through Dixie Gun Works or Track of the Wolf to get the Drum kit.

From there it's just a matter of performing the work your self.

 

[scrat]

would be cool if we had a write up on this.

 

[1858rem]

thanks for the info, jus thinkin... i COULD probably get a order of powder for the same price of another lock. i have never gotten real bp before, any suggestions-brand,grain size, and amount. it will be ten lbs order. would 3f be ok in a 33.5 in .50cal octagonal barrel, around 1" or thicker land to land? if so... then i will just get about 8 lbs of that, would 2lbs 4f be enough to prime 8 lbs of powder? or will the 3f work for priming? i HATED using pyrodex in this gun, it would just sizzle 4 sec or more... then fwoosssssssssssshhhh BAM!! will be very happy if i get some fast powder.


i think im gonna order from powder inc. are they good to deal with?

 

[Oldnamvet]

fffg will work fine for priming as well as for the main charge. I use it in my 50 flinter all the time. It will certainly go off a lot faster than the slow fuse firing you describe with pyrodex.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I just bought a traditions Ky flint for 40 bucks. Company says ffg 67 grains 490 ball and ffffg for pan. If fffg will work in both be a great help. I am also new at this BP so any help would be nice.

 

[Acorn Mush]

... then i will just get about 8 lbs of that, would 2lbs 4f be enough to prime 8 lbs of powder?

I suggest you purchase only 1 pound of 4f powder as only 4 grains or so will be needed to prime a flintlock. At 4 grains per prime, you will have enough powder to ignite about 1750 shots (7000 grains per pound divided by 4 equals 1750). If you use say, 50 grains per shot, that is equal to 12-1/2 pounds of powder.

At any rate, I hope you can get ahold of some real black powder for your flinter. Have fun with it!

 

[4v50 Gary]

Given that the geometry of the locks (flintlock and percussion) are the same, conceivably you can have an old fashioned conversion done.

You swap hammers. Put a percussion hammer in place of the flint hammer. You also remove the frizzen, frizzen spring and grind off the pan (if it doesn't readily detach).

The touchhole is drilled out for a drum that takes a nipple. Sometimes the touchhole is lined and all you have to do is remove the touchole liner and screw in a drum.

The key is the geometry. The hammer must fall on the nipple and if it doesn't, you've got a matchlock/cigarette lock gun. I don't smoke and never tried leaning towards the nipple with a cigarette in my mouth. I think the sights would have to be modified as well as the cheekpiece because the recoil would slam the stock into your face. Never mind the matchlock/cigarette/cigar lock method.

 

[Cosmoline]

My suggestion would be to work a trade with someone wanting to go Flint.

 

[4v50 Gary]

My suggestion would be to work a trade with someone wanting to go Flint.

Duh! So simple. That's a lot easier than what I had suggested.

 

[1858rem]

funny bout the cigar method, i imagined it all "tom and jerry cartoonish" lookin.... well it made me laugh anyhow lol