Gun flint, what age ?

[robfinds]

Hello
Can anyone tell me the age of this gun flint.
Robert.

 

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[Lucas]

Gunflints are comprised of two basic types: those made from flakes struck from prepared blade cores and those made from spalls struck from nodules or cores (Hamilton 1987:138). The former, which are prismatic in appearance, were first made by the French in the late 17th century. Although carefully guarded by the French, the British discovered this manufacturing technology around 1780, probably from a French prisoner (Hamilton 1987:141). British and French gunflints are typically distinguished on the basis of color and length/width attributes, although the separation may not be as simple as once believed (e.g., Hamilton 1987:146; Emery 1987:148-153). French gunflints were typically struck from a glossy translucent yellowish "honey" flint, whereas British gunflints were struck from a non-glossy flint of dark gray to solid black color (Hamilton and Emery 1988:13). French gunflints are generally longer from side-to-side (parallel to prism) than from edge-to-edge, but evolved into an almost square shape by the beginning of the 19th century (ibid). British gunflints are generally shorter side-to-side than from edge-to-edge (ibid). They were retouched or replaced as necessary to consistently spark when contacting the frizzen. Recurring modification during the life of a flint sometimes reversed the original axis. For this reason, Castle Hill gunflints were classified on the basis of material type.

In this pic, you can see the black English flint, the blonde French flint, and some black flint that shows the white hydration rind from the flint nodule. These all seem to be prismatic flints. If anyone is interested I'll take a pic of my pile o' French spalls.

 

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[AMorgan]

Dont dismiss a good looking flint as being modernly made... I found one on a site from the early 1800s where no re-enactors have ever set foot... Looks perfect and unweathered... Pics should still be up if you look under my post history...

Alan