Issue with mounting flash guard on Pedersoli Brown Bess musket.

[ekessler507]

Well, I finally purchased a flintlock to do American Revolution reenacting, a Pedersoli Brown Bess.  The original owner never fired it, just a wall hanger.  I attempted to mount a flash guard (.053" thick) under the head of the frizzen screw and ... no threads will engage with the bridle.  I did make sure the guard was not hung up on anything.  So then, I dismount the frizzen and drop the screw into position and snug it, only 1-1/3 threads engagement (see photo).  I would have thought that the lock plate side of the bridle would have been thread the entire thickness, ~3/8".  Is this normal for a Pedersoli lock plate or is mine defective?  Any have or heard of this issue and a possible solution short of a new lock plate?  Assistance appreciated!

[Bigsmoke]

Man, don't you just love it when things like this happen?  I don't.
I would imagine that the hole in the lock plate is drilled all the way through?
If so, I think you could get a tap and finish tapping the lock plate.
Than maybe you could get a longer replacement screw through maybe Brownell's.
Or contact Pedersoli directly and ask for a cure for the problem.  I know Pierangelo gets really pissed when something gets past quality control.  That's what I would do first.
On their website they should have a Contact Us section with an email address.  They do speak English.
Good luck.
John (Bigsmoke)
PS:  If you opt for the fix it hint I gave, remember - metric threads

[ekessler507]

John,
Thanks for the information!  I have reached out to Pedersoli, but am still waiting a response.  Yea, gotta love it ... NOT!!!

[Winter Hawk]

I would look first if the bridle hole goes all the way through the lock plate.  If so, the quick fix would be to get a tap of the appropriate size and cut threads all the way through as John suggested.  You may need to redrill it first.  Bear in mind that the design may not be to drill all the way through, but just too the lock plate.  In that case I would see if there is some obstruction in the hole keeping the screw from going in any further.

Looking at the photo, do the threads go all the way up the shaft of the screw?  It appears like only a short portion at the tip is threaded and the rest has been turned down or has some clear plastic over it.  If chasing the threads doesn't fix the problem you might want to get a replacement screw (again as John mentioned, remember that it's a metric thread).  Since the problem didn't show up until you tried to mount a flash guard a longer screw may be in order; all the work on the screw hole won't do any good if the screw is too short!  I think that would be my first try, to get a longer screw (try Ace Hardware).  That may fix the problem right off the bat!

~Kees~

[ekessler507]

Here are some additional photos of my issue.  I do not have metric gages to check screw thread or those in the bridle.  The screw drops thru the bridle as shown in photo2 without threading, then threads 1-1/3 threads.  I am thinking either the screw is wrong or the threads in the bridle are wrong/tapered.

Photo1: Shows screw inserted thru outer leg of bridle, it did not thread.
Photo2: Shows screw inserted as far into inner leg of bridle without threading.
Photo3: Shows screw adjacent to bridle to show length.
Photo4: Shows that there are threads thru both the outer and inner legs of bridle.

I would look first if the bridle hole goes all the way through the lock plate.  If so, the quick fix would be to get a tap of the appropriate size and cut threads all the way through as John suggested.  You may need to redrill it first.  Bear in mind that the design may not be to drill all the way through, but just too the lock plate.  In that case I would see if there is some obstruction in the hole keeping the screw from going in any further.

Looking at the photo, do the threads go all the way up the shaft of the screw?  It appears like only a short portion at the tip is threaded and the rest has been turned down or has some clear plastic over it.  If chasing the threads doesn't fix the problem you might want to get a replacement screw (again as John mentioned, remember that it's a metric thread).  Since the problem didn't show up until you tried to mount a flash guard a longer screw may be in order; all the work on the screw hole won't do any good if the screw is too short!  I think that would be my first try, to get a longer screw (try Ace Hardware).  That may fix the problem right off the bat!

~Kees~

[Hank in WV]

measure the depth of the hole with a wire or something and compare it to the length of the screw.

[ekessler507]

Refer to photo3 showing the screw alongside the bridle. I am thinking the screw should be threading thru both sides of the bridle and not just the last 1-1/3 threads on the far side, near the barrel.

measure the depth of the hole with a wire or something and compare it to the length of the screw.

[Winter Hawk]

Now I am confused!  It looks like the threads on the screw are long enough to go all the way through the barrel side of the bridle (photo 3). And in photo 4 it appears that the threads in the bridle have more than 1 1/3 engagement.  The photo in the original post (and photo 2) seems to show that the 1 1/3 threads are not engaging because there is a blockage at the barrel end of the hole, probably to keep the end of the bolt from contacting the barrel.  There is plenty of engagement with the screw threads if you can tighten the bolt down solidly.

If you can't clamp the flash guard to the bridle with the bolt, you will want to either put a washer between the bolt head and the flash guard, or file/grind off the end of the bolt enough to allow the bolt to go further into the bridle.

You may want to take the bolt to a hardware store (Ace, Lowe's, True Value) and have them check the size and threads, then get another one to do your filing on to make sure that will get the job done before you do the same to the original bolt. 

I hope this makes sense.  Let us know how you make out!

~Kees~

[ekessler507]

The screw is long enough, not too long.  The only thread engagement is the last 1-1/3 of the bridle near the barrel.  Without gauges, the bridle thread is oversized to tapered, or even just stripped.  The screw matches up to M4x.7mm.  Currently waiting on response from Pedersoli as to a solution.

[Winter Hawk]

Understand now.  Hmm.  If Pedersoli doesn't come through with a new lock plate, you may want to clean the screw hole thoroughly with brake cleaner and acetone, fill it with JB Weld, then drill and tap again.  Whatever happens, keep us posted!

~Kees~

[ekessler507]

Ended up going with the JB Weld solution.  Filled the barrel side of the bridle with JB Weld, waited a few days to fully cure, hand drilled the pilot hole and tapped from the outboard side of the bridle using it as a guide.  I had to modify the flash guard as it initially interfered with the sweep of the frizzen or hammer.  Now for drill practice.

Understand now.  Hmm.  If Pedersoli doesn't come through with a new lock plate, you may want to clean the screw hole thoroughly with brake cleaner and acetone, fill it with JB Weld, then drill and tap again.  Whatever happens, keep us posted!

~Kees~

[Nessmuk]

Let us know how well it works.