Revolutionary War original Musket Flints

Being offered are two British flints that were made to regulation pattern at Brandon, in the County of Suffolk, during the Revolutionary War. They measure approximately 1 1/4" x 1 1/4". British troops received their supply of musket flints in a small 70-pound cask (called a half barrel) which contained two thousand of the napped stones.

Traditionally, the flint was held in the flintlock cock jaws (see pictures), cushioned by a small piece of cloth, leather or even by a small lead sheet. Some soldiers would use the same flint between twenty and thirty firings before deteriorating or splitting.

In 1789 British regulations recommended that soldiers change the flint after 15 – 18 shots. Each soldier, therefore, was expected to carry many spare flints along with powder and balls.

Revolutionary War relics have always been hard to find. With the upcoming of the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding next year, there will be a revitalized interest. Just about all Revolutionary War relics and artifacts will be in demand, which will only add to their scarcity.