Fix my flintlock?

[Brasilikilt]

Hey all

I have an unusual Tower flintlock which has an *internal* frizzen spring......

It might be a little difficult to see with my crappy webcam pic, but do you see right beneath the frizzen, resting atop the mainspring there's half a piece of metal there?

It's been broken way too long, and I need it fixed! I went to my (not so) local Blackpowder gunsmith, and he says he has so many jobs piled up that he won't be able to work on it for 3 or 4 months!!!!!!!

I'm in Portland, Oregon and would like to know if anyone can reccomend a competant, reasonably priced blackpowder gunsmith in NW Oregon/SW Washington area which would be able to do this work for me.
I would prefer not to ship it to anyone out of state.....but I'm reluctantly leaving that option open.

Thanks

Iain

 

[Mr. Chester]

Pistol?

 

[Mike Brooks]

3 or 4 months isn't a bad turn around time on a job like that. If the guy said he could do it right away I'd figure he was a cobbler for sure. most guys that are any good and know what they're doing have a back log of a year or more.

 

[Rebel]

I know it isn't real close, but you might try Joe at the Gunworks in Springfield, Or.

 

[Brasilikilt]

Pistol?

I think the lock is too large for a pistol. It's a Tower lock dated 1835 and came to me on my .45 Kentucky rifle.......My guess it that the lock came off of a late Brown Bess, or maybe even some kind of gun designed for trade as I'm pretty sure the Brits switched to percussion well before 1835. A hobby rifle builder made it back in the late 60's using a nice Douglas barrel and whatever parts he could scrounge up or make himself.......It's a little crude, but has worked for me quite well! I've put maybe 600-800 rounds through it, and want to fix the lock so I can shoot 8 or 10 thousand more through it :winking:

 

[TN.Frank]

Don't know what kind of budget you have but it might be easier to just buy a new lock. I'm sure Dixie or some other place could match it up so it'll fit your gun.

 

[ol vern]

Do you have the peace that broke off?
Might be able to silver solder it back together.

I broke a sear once and used silver solder as a tempary fix untill I could get a new sear from TOW that was 3 years ago and I am still using the
repaired sear.

 

[Harley Donaldson]

Your lock is a fine english lock and the piece you are refering to is a separate piece of steel that enables the cock and the frizzen to work. They made those locks until 1836 and most were never mounted on a gun. One turns up now and then. I don't know who would have a part, but you might try The Rifle Shoppe. don't have an address but they can be found on the web. Good Luck

 

[Zonie]

My eyes aren't what they once were so I hope no one minds if I brightened the picture a little?

Neat old lock!

 

[Roy]

P.T. sent

 

[Brasilikilt]

Here's a better pic of the broken bits

And a pic of the markings on front for those of you who like that kind of thing, unfortunately my webcam doesn't like to show fine detail up close :redface:

The rifle shoppe! I looked around their website and they certainly seem as though they would be able to help me, I'll drop 'em a line.....Thanks!

I was also wondering if it might work to salvage an old broken mainspring and fashion it into the broken part.....just a thought

 

[ol vern]

There is a builder/gunsmith in Oregon City
Might be able to help you

Jerry Cook[url] www.cooks-guns.com[/url]

 

[Brasilikilt]

Ol' Vern........thanks, I sent him an e-mail. Let's see what he says