Posted 9 years ago
hotairfan
(388 items)
Photo #1 is of a flintlock fire starter where as tinder or char cloth is placed into the cup under the flint holder. The frizzen (probably spelled wrong), is closed over the tinder. When the trigger is pulled, the hammer that is holding the flint, strikes the frizzen (again, probably spelled wrong), resulting in a shower of sparks hitting the char cloth and igniting a smolder in the cloth to start the fire.
Flintlock starters were used in the 18th century and possibly even earlier. The one in the photo is a replica of an early flintlock fire starter, I can not afford an original, as they are highly valuable and quite rare. They often had a candle attached, as this one does, maybe to read by or maybe to make the fire starting process easier.
The other two photos are of a later fire starter in the form of a fire kit. This kit consisted of a candle with a holder that could be fastened to the lid, a sharp piece of flint, and a striking steel to provide the spark, and a supply of tinder and char cloth. All this was kept compactly in a tin or brass box. When the striker introduced a sharp blow to the flint piece, the flint cut miniscule chards of molten steel and directed into the waiting tinder similar to the previous flint lock starter.
Fire starter kits like the one shown were carried into the wilderness during the days of the mountain men that roamed the Rockies in the late 1700's and early1800's.
I just saw a flintlock fire start go at auction. If I remember correctly it was in the thousands. They are not cheap, and not easy to find.
I knew that they were expensive beyond my ability to pay the price of an original flintlock fire starter. When I came across this quite accurate replica, I thought that this is as close as I will get to one. I am happy enough with the one that I have. Thanks for the comment BHock45.