In reading descriptions of various firearms, I see references to bridled locks, double-bridled locks, and unbridled locks. For the life of me though, I can't seem to indentify what the bridle may be from photos. Can anyone explain?
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Bridled Lock?
- Thread starter AK in PA
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One example would be the frizzen bridle...on mine it's two ears each of which serve as supports for the frizzen screw that goes through the frizzen pivot hole.AK in PA said:
In this photo, you can see the end of the frizzen pivot screw facing you...it enters from the rear of the lockplate, going through the rear hole of the 'bridle', passes through the frizzen pivot hole, and screws into the outboard 'bridle' ear.
paulvallandigham
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A bridle is either a stand alone U-shaped structure, or a part that when connected to another part of the lock forms a u-shaped structure. There is a bridle on the inside of most locks, that is screwed to the lock plate, over the tumbler, and has a hole in the outside edge into which the tumbler fits.
See:[url] http://members.aye.net/~bspen/flintterm.html[/url]
Some flintlocks have bridles to support the frizzen screw on the outside of the lock. Others do not. When the frizzen pivot screw is NOT supported by a bridle, it has to be of substantial diameter, and made from hardened steel, screwed into a thick lock plate, to resist the constant tension of the frizzen spring, to keep it from bending.
The bridle in the percussion, and inside of the flintlock support both the tumbler, and the sear bar, so that the two engage each other in the half cock and full cock notches properly and consistently. Without the bridle performing this function, it would be possible for the parts to separate or slip out and the lock to come apart, inside the stock of your gun.
IN fact, the Bridle keeps all the moving parts in your lock's inside together, so that the main spring, and the sear return spring can work together to make the lock function.
See:[url] http://members.aye.net/~bspen/flintterm.html[/url]
Some flintlocks have bridles to support the frizzen screw on the outside of the lock. Others do not. When the frizzen pivot screw is NOT supported by a bridle, it has to be of substantial diameter, and made from hardened steel, screwed into a thick lock plate, to resist the constant tension of the frizzen spring, to keep it from bending.
The bridle in the percussion, and inside of the flintlock support both the tumbler, and the sear bar, so that the two engage each other in the half cock and full cock notches properly and consistently. Without the bridle performing this function, it would be possible for the parts to separate or slip out and the lock to come apart, inside the stock of your gun.
IN fact, the Bridle keeps all the moving parts in your lock's inside together, so that the main spring, and the sear return spring can work together to make the lock function.
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Steve Blancard
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Great explanation and photos guys, I was wondering about this also - thanks.
Steve
Steve
Steve Blancard
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Along the same lines, can someone explain (photos would be helpful) the "fly" on a tumbler? I understand its purpose, but not how it works.
Thanks,
Steve
Thanks,
Steve
alright... its the shiny thing thats on the tumbler...
While going into halfcock the sear pushes fly and it pivots towards the fullcock notch and when going into fullcock the sear pushes the fly and it pivots back over the halfcock notch...
While going into halfcock the sear pushes fly and it pivots towards the fullcock notch and when going into fullcock the sear pushes the fly and it pivots back over the halfcock notch...
Steve Blancard
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Thanks Roy, that helps a lot.
