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
[log in to unmask]


When you think of that perfect retort five minutes after the 
conversation is over -  that's when you're:

  "... bursting with the belated eloquence of the inarticulate ..."

Edith Wharton in the "The Age of Innocence"