Lead Finger

RobertSubnet · 09-30-2007, 07:13 PM

Greetings all. I am going to be replacing the bit o' leather I currently use to hold the flint in my flintlock with a piece of lead.

That got me to thinking about the lead we handle when shooting MLs.

Are there any particular health hazards when it comes the way we typically handle lead? This is assuming you don't shoot every day, wash your hands after shooting and don't suck your thumb in between shots

Thanks.
~Robert

Pittsburghunter · 09-30-2007, 07:18 PM

Why do you need to get rid of the leather? Get some that is thinner or tougher if you need it but from what I have read changing to lead causes other problems. Plus it is a pain to set up if you need to switch a flint in a pinch.

As far as your question goes I would not worry about lead poisoning if you just wash your hands and don't eat the stuff. Oh, yea don't breath the fumes either.

cayugad · 09-30-2007, 07:22 PM

Actually handling lead is something casting places will warn you about. It is always a good idea that after handling lead to make sure you thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. Lead fumes care also another danger when casting projectiles. Lead poisoning is a real danger, but I am not sure how dangerous just the handling of lead projectiles would be, but I would still recommend the hand washing after your session.

RobertSubnet · 09-30-2007, 07:52 PM

I guess what I was wondering was does the lead somehow seep through your skin and work its way in to your bloodstream in just typical lead handling situations. As opposed to casting which would involve lots of lead handling.

The fumes I hadn't even thought of, so that is good to keep in mind.

As for replacing the leather. It is an experiment to see the difference in sparking when using lead vs. leather to hold the flint.

cayugad · 09-30-2007, 08:07 PM

All I know is the warnings you get when you buy molds.. and that is if you handle lead be sure and wash your hands. Whether there is lead that could be passed through the skin, I don't know but anything is possible. Who would have ever thought lead was so dangerous. Lead paint andlead toys, all now are considered to be "toxic" but I think in the case of children the concern is they like to put things in their mouths.