Dilemma sort of

[tarawa1943]

I have picked up a few cheap muskets that were missing parts (mostly locks). These are Indian manufactured guns and who knows how well they copied their guns. Two of the guns are Potsdam muskets and there doesn’t seem to be a source for parts. I have bought a handful of locks with similar but not exact dimensions on eBay and was wondering jf it would be better to modify the inletting or modifying the lockplate to fit? Easiest would be modifying the inletting but that would change the look to me. Attached are pictures of the inletting and lock

 

[PathfinderNC]

I have picked up a few cheap muskets that were missing parts (mostly locks). These are Indian manufactured guns and who knows how well they copied their guns. Two of the guns are Potsdam muskets and there doesn’t seem to be a source for parts. I have bought a handful of locks with similar but not exact dimensions on eBay and was wondering jf it would be better to modify the inletting or modifying the lockplate to fit? Easiest would be modifying the inletting but that would change the look to me. Attached are pictures of the inletting and lock

It really depends on the closeness of fit. I have inlet/ installed a lock that didn’t match the previously carved- out plate inlet. I had to remove some wood here and add wood there. With care it can certainly be done.

 

[tarawa1943]

Nice job. I will take some pics of the areas that need work. The shape of the plate is different just in this area. Last pic shows todays progress. Almost there.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Nice job. I will take some pics of the areas that need work. The shape of the plate is different just in this area. Last pic shows todays progress. Almost there.

Just something to consider when you glue in your spacers; If it is a tropical wood from India, wipe the area to be glued with alcohol or acetone to remove the surface oils which will prevent the wood glue from adhering properly.
ps; on the next one, don't file away any metal, rather remove the wood.

 

[skwerleater]

You can inlet a piece of wood to fill the entire lock area and then Inlet the new lock. Make your piece of wood slightly oversized of the inlet, but only slightly proud of the depth of the lock plate. Clamp to lock panel, trace with stylus and then inlet. Glue in place and file flush with the lock panels. Now disassemble the new lock and inlet.

 

[tarawa1943]

I am almost there. I am so close (at least for me) that I probably won’t need to add wood or recut the inletting. Since I am using a generic lock, I am running into different inletting problems. The reinforced section of the lock plate, that rests against the side of the barrel, is what is holding the plate from settling into the stock. It looks as if I will have to surface grind it a few thousandths. Also the edges of the lock plate have parallel (?) sides that are just under 1/4” thick. I think the edges need beveled or rounded to soften up the look a bit. It is a fairly large lock at 6 5/8” long. I also will have to shape the jaws of the cock to frizzen to match the shape of a Potsdam musket lock.

 

[tarawa1943]

The lock is finally fitted. It took some doing and maybe a little bit of filler. I need to drill and tap lock to accept 12-32 lock bolts.

 

[tarawa1943]

I forgot to say that I reshaped the cock and frizzen to look more like a Potsdam lock. And as expected, the Indian frizzen isn’t hardened

 

[Eterry]

Looks like a great job. I bet the guys on the Gun Builders Bench would appreciate seeing your modifications.

 

[tarawa1943]

I am not a builder. But it seems like I had to modify everything on the gun so far. I have no idea what my buddy did with the original locks. Second one should be easier now that I figured out what needed done.