Mark, 
I have heard them called flint caps or simply flint leads. Flint caps I have seen have come in lead, leather, and the most unusual was a cast copper alloy example from the DeBraak , 1798. Some were simple cut strips folded around the back or "foot" of the flint. Others were a little more elaborate and were cast with holes that permitted the flint to be seated properly near the top jaw screw and had side pieces that folded down and around the sides of the flint. 


Not sure there really was ever a period term for them. The period military manuals, where they are mentioned, do not seem to provide any specific period term that describes them. For example, Bennett Cuthbertson in his A System for the Complete Interior Management and Economy of a Battalion of Infantry (1779, 2nd Ed.) calls them "thin pieces of lead." He further indicates his preference for lead over leather as "it having a more certain hold than leather, or any other contrivance," and recommended a soldier carry a spare. That said, I have seen the both being used at the same time. 


One possible attribute useful in determining if strip of lead is a flint cap, or not, particularly on 18th and early 19th century military sites, are the presence triangular shaped impressions in the lead or leather (if you have it surviving) artifact. These come from small gouges cut into the surfaces of the lower jaw and top jaw of the cock that were intended to help grip the flint cap and better secure the flint in place. Not sure if this feature extended into civilian arms. I'll be glad to provide information from the DeBraak collection if interested. 


Chuck Fithian 
Curator of Archaeology 
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Branstner" <[log in to unmask]> 
To: [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 3:25:16 PM 
Subject: Lead gunflint wraps .... 

Hi, 

Posing a question for one of my colleagues, Rob Hickson ... 

We are doing some research on the sheet lead washers that were used 
to wrap gunflints in order to secure them in the jaws of a flintlock 
firearm ... 

Now, some of these are clearly homemade, but some appear to be 
manufactured specifically for this purpose, often with a hole 
relieved at the folding point at the back of the gunflint. 

(1) Is there a standard term for describing these? I have heard 
"washer", "wrap", "cap" .... 
Is there a contemporary term? Perhaps out of the fur trade or 
shorekeeper literature? 

(2) Any references that people can remember? From either domestic 
or military sites? 

Any help or leads will be greatly appreciated! 

Thanks, 

Mark 


-- 

Mark C. Branstner, RPA 
Historic Archaeologist 

Illinois State Archaeological Survey 
Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability 
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 
209 Nuclear Physics Lab, MC-571 
23 East Stadium Drive 
Champaign, IL 61820 

Phone: 217.244.0892 
Fax: 217.244.7458 
Cell: 517.927.4556 
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