British Best lock improvements

[52Bore]

The owner of a cased Purdey stopped by over the holidays for a new nipple.
We compared a lot of things, one of interest that I noticed was the change/improvement in lock making over a few decades.. Grant it’s a small sample, but from 3 of some of British Best makers.
John Manton 1825
James Purdey 1835
Alexander Henry 1857

lt Manton, Rt Purdey

Alex Henry 1857

Manton lock

Purdey lock

Alex Henry

 

[French Colonial]

WOW WOW AND WOW,

Love it, the best of the best, Just can not beat the locks made by the Brits in that era.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Spectacular. Imagine all the time and talent?

 

[russellshaffer]

The workmanship is wonderful. These locks have been treated very kindly - note the condition of the screw heads.