Since there was no Kasnet in the 18th century, what did the gunsmiths use? I have heard that they used powdered leather charcoal then pickled the Frizzen (Hammer) in very warm solution of Carbonic Acid. Also a great video of the reenactors.
They would surround the frizzen in leather in a can, and then heat it up in the forge. I don't know about any Carbonic acid, but just doing that would add extra carbon in the steel to harden it.
Great tutorial! Thanks for posting. What gas do you use? Will propane do the job? I've read conflicting opinions about what to use for frizzen hardening on some muzzleloading forums.
There are many ways to accomplish the hardening. I once used the method of crushing a tuna can around the frizzen and scraps of leather. Give it about 15-20 minutes in a hot campfire then dump it all in water and let it cool. At home I find that a Vise Grip pliers will do the same as a spring vise if you are careful.
No, Kasnet didn't contain anything toxic. It was used in schools and advertised as a safe product. I think they just stopped making in because of low demand. Great video.
That is one I took at the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown. If you go on the 2nd North Carolina Facebook page and search through the albums you'll find one of the 225th Yorktown.
There are several videos or still photos from various reenactments on this video. There are no battle reenactments at Kings Mountain, due to it being run by the National Park Service. The closest actual battle reenactment to you would either be Camden, SC in November or Guilford Courthouse in Greensboro in March.
I usually reharden my frizzens about once every decade or so. I have around 30 muskets, and they all get used (as loaners and such), so I don't keep exact track of how often I do it.
This was a technique that was shown to me by the gunmaker Kit Ravenshear. It hardens it in a nano-second. The thing that surprises (scares) folks who don't know what you are doing is when the frizzen hits the water, and it splashes out... folks think the water is going to be scalding hot and jump back, but it is ice water.
If you cooled it slowly from one end to another, it WILL fracture. If you cool it all over suddenly there is MUCH less thermal stress because it's all at the same temperature as it cools down (quickly). If you don't believe me go get one of your wife's best crystal goblets (the ones she won't let you touch), get it good and hot with a hair dryer set on HI, then (with a hot pan holder) plunge it quickly ALL THE WAY into a pan of cold water. Then, start all over with the hair dryer on the goblet, good and hot, this time put it HALF WAY into the cold water. Told you so. Don't just stand there, get rid of the evidence and HURRY.
@@Irish_Pirate So, you don't do any tempering of the frizzen anywhere? How many times have you fired the gun and how has the frizzen held up? Im really considering doing this with a factory made italian gun. The frizzen seems to be a bit soft. Any information is greatly appreciated.
Excellent job.
Thanks
Hoot Man the music gives me chills of joy , may those who reside high above us bless you and yours " Erin go Bragh!"
Since there was no Kasnet in the 18th century, what did the gunsmiths use? I have heard that they used powdered leather charcoal then pickled the Frizzen (Hammer) in very warm solution of Carbonic Acid. Also a great video of the reenactors.
They would surround the frizzen in leather in a can, and then heat it up in the forge. I don't know about any Carbonic acid, but just doing that would add extra carbon in the steel to harden it.
Great tutorial! Thanks for posting. What gas do you use? Will propane do the job? I've read conflicting opinions about what to use for frizzen hardening on some muzzleloading forums.
There are many ways to accomplish the hardening. I once used the method of crushing a tuna can around the frizzen and scraps of leather. Give it about 15-20 minutes in a hot campfire then dump it all in water and let it cool. At home I find that a Vise Grip pliers will do the same as a spring vise if you are careful.
Hard to imagine this was made 6 months ago and not 16 years ago.
No, Kasnet didn't contain anything toxic. It was used in schools and advertised as a safe product. I think they just stopped making in because of low demand. Great video.
I got that information from an online source, so take it for what it is worth.
Where did the picture of all the smoke poles going off at the same time come from? I’d like to get a copy of it.
That is one I took at the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown. If you go on the 2nd North Carolina Facebook page and search through the albums you'll find one of the 225th Yorktown.
Where is this reenactment? I live just outside kings mountain nc I’d love to watch
There are several videos or still photos from various reenactments on this video. There are no battle reenactments at Kings Mountain, due to it being run by the National Park Service. The closest actual battle reenactment to you would either be Camden, SC in November or Guilford Courthouse in Greensboro in March.
@@Irish_Pirate thank you for your reply. im going to be hardening a frizzin hopefully tomorrow
Might have to do this soon now, Brandywine only fired like 4 times and tried every combo over the moon its near to none working.
I usually reharden my frizzens about once every decade or so. I have around 30 muskets, and they all get used (as loaners and such), so I don't keep exact track of how often I do it.
@@Irish_Pirate Mine probably do for it then, my musket is made in 1979 and from the the look of the frizzen it shows it's use
Really surprised the frizzen didn't fracture from being dumped in icewater.
This was a technique that was shown to me by the gunmaker Kit Ravenshear. It hardens it in a nano-second. The thing that surprises (scares) folks who don't know what you are doing is when the frizzen hits the water, and it splashes out... folks think the water is going to be scalding hot and jump back, but it is ice water.
If you cooled it slowly from one end to another, it WILL fracture. If you cool it all over suddenly there is MUCH less thermal stress because it's all at the same temperature as it cools down (quickly). If you don't believe me go get one of your wife's best crystal goblets (the ones she won't let you touch), get it good and hot with a hair dryer set on HI, then (with a hot pan holder) plunge it quickly ALL THE WAY into a pan of cold water. Then, start all over with the hair dryer on the goblet, good and hot, this time put it HALF WAY into the cold water. Told you so. Don't just stand there, get rid of the evidence and HURRY.
@@lowndeswhatley960 That's OK, I'd rather risk a exploding frizzen than a wrathful wife!
@@Irish_Pirate So, you don't do any tempering of the frizzen anywhere? How many times have you fired the gun and how has the frizzen held up? Im really considering doing this with a factory made italian gun. The frizzen seems to be a bit soft. Any information is greatly appreciated.
@@firewaterforgeofarizona4304 No, just what you see there. I have a few dozen flintlocks and do this from time to time with all of them.