file for a flintlock frizzen

bamaranger · December 26, 2023, 01:56 PM

In conversation with a fellow the other day, he related how a local 'smith in his area creates/modifies flintlock frizzens by welding and shaping a piece of an old file. Seems genius to me, anybody heard of this?

I wonder if they heat it first, weld and shape, then quench? Could the length of file be worked and welded without heating first?

Oliver Sudden · December 26, 2023, 04:38 PM

It’s best to anneal the file then do the shaping and attaching before hardening. Often the hard face is either solder or brazed on the frizzen, a blacksmith could forge weld it on.

Jim Watson · December 26, 2023, 05:19 PM

Modern version of "half sole" on a frizzen. In the day, the frizzen would be case hardened and when the case wore through, the gunmaker would solder on a new face of steel.

**4V50 Gary** · December 30, 2023, 12:28 PM

Files are extremely hard steel. You're right in that they should be annealed first before filing.

December 26, 2023, 01:56 PM	#1
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,318	file for a flintlock frizzen In conversation with a fellow the other day, he related how a local 'smith in his area creates/modifies flintlock frizzens by welding and shaping a piece of an old file. Seems genius to me, anybody heard of this? I wonder if they heat it first, weld and shape, then quench? Could the length of file be worked and welded without heating first? Last edited by bamaranger; December 26, 2023 at 02:00 PM. Reason: more detail

December 30, 2023, 12:28 PM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,849	Files are extremely hard steel. You're right in that they should be annealed first before filing. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

December 26, 2023, 04:38 PM	#2
Oliver Sudden Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 272	It’s best to anneal the file then do the shaping and attaching before hardening. Often the hard face is either solder or brazed on the frizzen, a blacksmith could forge weld it on.

December 26, 2023, 05:19 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,547	Modern version of "half sole" on a frizzen. In the day, the frizzen would be case hardened and when the case wore through, the gunmaker would solder on a new face of steel.