flintlock question

[rinavy]

Anyone ever hear of "positive stops" or "secondary stops" on flintlock Brown Bess & Charleville musket flash guards?

 

[4V50 Gary]

Nope. But a flashguard is merely a curved sheet of brass that prevents the flash from shooting starboard (right) and into the side of the soldier to the shooter's right. Said flash is diverted upwards towards the heavens.

 

[rinavy]

Mystery solved

Found out what "positive/secondary stops" on flashguards are. In the photo below the indentation under the screw hole is a secondary stop. A positive stop (not shown) is a small tab above & left of screw hole and require hand fitting, I've actually installed a few with the tab, it was a pain, just never heard positive/secondary stop. The stops prevent the guard from falling out of position if frizzen screw loosens, always used clear nail polish (cheap loc-tite substitute), learn something everyday.