Thread: Flobert firing pin

I picked up a Flobert .32 Rimfire a while back (for WAY too much money) and since .32 rimfire is very hard to get, decided to convert it to centrefire. I ended up having to drill out the pin or spring holding it, so I never saw what it looked like. The firing pin itself is just a short piece of steel with a notch cut in it's length part way along. I had assumed a spring fit in there, but now I wonder if it was just a pin allowing it to move back and forth, but not fall out.

Does anyone know if it should be a pin? Or a spring?

If it was just a pin, what returns the pin to 'ready' position, so it isn't sticking out when you close the breech block on an unfired cartridge? If it sticks out wouldn't you be risking it firing the round as soon as you close the breech?


I'm thinking now that I'll carry on with the centre-fire conversion, but also make a breech plug to convert it to an in-line muzzle-loader, using .32 short brass with just the primer as the 'cap'. I'll probably have to find some lead shot the next size down from .30, as I slugged the barrel with .30 cal balls and it was much harder than I was led to believe it should be.

Flobert actions are notoriously weak and were as far as I've ever seen relegated to low power rimfire stuff. Best I recall the hammer falling is primarily what keeps the breech block in battery as it fires.

Hard to tell from your pic of the original pin whether it had a rebound spring or not. I suspect not. I've seen a lot of guns that had no rebound spring for the pin and simply relied on a loose fit to keep the pin from firing when you closed the bolt. They had their problems with what you mentioned as they aged, got dirty, etc, etc, and were known to "slam fire". Lots of old single and dbl barrel shotguns were made without firing springs, They were generally low priced guns even for their day.

When you get your conversion completed, I'd recommend firing that thing with a string from a safe distance for a number of shots. Might work out wonderfully and I hope it does. If it doesn't, you wouldn't want that thing opening up in your face.

Well, it would just be the primer acting on the breech block, but I take your point. I suppose I could drill a pair of holes in line with the little knob and fit hard steel pins in them, and holes in the frame for them to seat into. Then it would have those two pins plus the two bolts the block pivots on to hold it. Pressure should be backwards rather than upwards, but the hammer already has a step it rests on, to prevent the block lifting up.

Respectfully, I'd really suggest you hit up a dedicated gun board about this. I dont know if using modern ammo in that rifle is a very good idea, at least without some special loadings. I'd personally be very wary, and no one would ever think of calling me remotely safety minded. thehighroad.org and The Firing Line are both good forums and will help you out.

I'd think modern ammo would be a no-go, blackpowder would probably safer. As for the free floating firing pin, thats pretty common in my experience. I'm sure that you were going to anyway, but make sure you string fire and sandbag that gun for the test shots, no telling what a previous owner may have done, and what condition the barrel really is in (hairline cracks and such)

Originally Posted by KimFella

Well, it would just be the primer acting on the breech block, but I take your point. I suppose I could drill a pair of holes in line with the little knob and fit hard steel pins in them, and holes in the frame for them to seat into. Then it would have those two pins plus the two bolts the block pivots on to hold it. Pressure should be backwards rather than upwards, but the hammer already has a step it rests on, to prevent the block lifting up.

IF that was such a good, strong, and reliable action, don't you think it would still be produced?

That thing can and will flap open like a two dollar suit case if you get too much in front of it. You've got a LOT more to worry about than just the primer.

Originally Posted by Wullie

IF that was such a good, strong, and reliable action, don't you think it would still be produced?

That thing can and will flap open like a two dollar suit case if you get too much in front of it. You've got a LOT more to worry about than just the primer.

I am pretty sure the pin just floated, you see that with a lot of cheaper Birmingham and Belgium made shot guns, the pins just float, the hammers rebound. I did convert a Stevens Favourite from .32 rimfire to .32 centerfire, that cartridge was very similar in power so the breach stood up. Those flobert guns were for indoor target practice and basically fired the equivalent of a BB cap, just relying on the power of the primer to propell the projectile. As stated earlier would be very cautious about converting it to centerfire.

Cheers

Heelerau

I've seen and done the same conversions with Stevens actions. There is a lot more meat in a Stevens action than ever was in a Flobert.