Finding a LH Bedford lock (flint)?

[HomeBru]

Reading, researching and dreaming my way up to building a flint LR in the near future and having "decided" on a Bedford school flinter, I'm having trouble finding a Left Hand lock in the Bedford style. Need some advice from "those who have gone there before".

It appears that some of the earlier Bedfords had locks that could be represented by something like L&R's Durrs Egg or Classic lock but not exactly.

I'm thinking I would also be able to weld and reshape a lock plate to get the Bedford rat's tail but my untrained eye isn't seeing which production lock to start from looking at pictures.

I'm planning on basing this first rifle off of a specific maker but may pick and choose from two or three of their rifles for details.

Thoughts/Suggestions?

 

You might consider a Chambers gunmakers lock. Jim makes them in right, and left. It would allow you to shape it the way you want. Then making the cock look right would be your next challenge. There are almost no Commercial Bedford flints to begin with, let alone finding a Southpaw. Good luck on your quest.

Bill

 

After a little looking, and further thought, you could get a L&R #1800 left handed Manton, and modify it with some weld up. Someone good with TIG or MIG could add on, and with some file work you could get a pretty good looking Lefty. The gunmakers has a german cock, and pan, but could be made to work with enough file work.

Bill

 

[HomeBru]

Thanks, Bill. Pretty much the conclusions I was coming to. Appreciate the reference to the L&R.

J-