fayetteville Lock

[mudd turtle]

I have a fayetteville musket -58 cal that I have a problem with and would like to get some ideas for fixing it. The hammer does not fall center of the nipple. The rifle will not half cock. This rifle has a whiteacre barrel. Who can help. thank you. Mudd Turtle.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Check the lock bolts. Sounds like someone tightened them too much. If I am correct, the lock plate will Not be straight, or " square " to the flats of the barrel. It will be tilted inward on the upper or lower side.

This pinches the sear bar, so it can't enter the half cock notch. It also can tilt the top of the lock so that the hammer no longer strikes the nipple squarely. You may have to shim up the lock plate to correct this problem, after loosening the bolts.

 

[hotsparks]

One problem at a time...not familiar with the Fayetteville, but does it have a barrel and nipple arrangement, or a dreaded Hawken style? And how much off is the hammer...and, by the way, fore/aft or sideways misalignment? If you are just talking about a small misalignment, remove the hammer, clamp it in a vise and twist with a cresent wrench...most hammers are flexible enough to correct a 1/16" or so misalignment without heating/annealing. If it's a fore/aft misalignment. sounds like your barrel may have twisted some...hope not, may be a little more than just tightening it, depending on the type.
Other problem....could be a lot of things, again not familiar with the Fayetteville lock, does it have a fly? Ever had it apart? Sure you put the fly back in? Have set triggers? If the fly isn't in, could be the have cock notch is broken...this can rarely happen even with a conventional trigger...anyway, pull the lock and check for a broken notch, also for bits of wood splinters that may have come loose and lodged in there. If it holds at full cock, not likely the sear nose is damaged, but look at it closely anyway.
PS..one more thing, check and make sure the trigger is returning to "battery", I had a sliver of wood jam one of mine once and thought I'd broken the sear or half-cock notch.

 

[mudd turtle]

If needed where could I buy another lock? Mudd Turtle.

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

Are you talking about an original Fayetteville Rifle made at Fayetteville, N.C. by the Confederate government or a reproduction? I'm assuming the later? The supplier of the Fayetteville repops is, IIRC, in Florida, you may have to contact him to get a new lock but he doesn't sell parts. Try what Paul suggested, that may do it, if not contact the maker to see if he can help. If that doesn't help, try Nick Brevoort in Cincinnati, Ohio.