Jim Chambers locks

[Bartek]

There are many locks to get in TOTW, which are made by Jim Chambers :
- Siler large lock
- Deluxe Siler lock
- Golden Era lock
- American Classic lock
- American Early Classic

- and KITs off course

Experienced Members of the Forum will be indignant , but my question is : what is in fact the difference between them. Is the Deluxe Siler realy "fastest and most reliable “Siler” flint lock ever made" ? I want buy one of them, but for me all those locks look almost like one, the same pattern :redface:

best wishes
bartek

 

[juano2001]

Look closer at the lock plate and hammer, they are different styles for different periods/schools. The deluxe siler has some added features like improved geometry to make it faster and it is a little fancier. The internals are similar on all the locks to the best of my knowledge. Any chambers lock will be fast and work well. Do not buy a kit unless you know what you are doing. What is the intended application of this lock? If it is an upgrade check the L and R RPL locks on TOW as they have many that are drop in.

Cheers

 

[Richard Allen]

If I remember correctly, TOW's "Deluxe Chambers Locks" are built by people that work for Jim Chambers and are warrented for life by Chambers, while the "Siler" locks are built from Chambers castings by individuals not under Chambers' control.

You will have to decide if a Deluxe lock is worth the the additional expense. I feel it is and highly recommend buying the lock directly from Chambers' Flintlocks Inc. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by dealing directly with Jim or Barbie.

I delayed replying because I hoped Jim or Barbie Chambers would respond to this thread.

Richard/Ga.

 

[2172]

agree, totally...Hank

 

[Zonie]

This post was originally asked of me, and at the time I really hadn't studyed these locks (beyond using many of the standard Silar locks on my guns.
I urged bartek to post it so he could hear from the experts.
The posts so far have been helpful. More posts will be great.

In the meantime, I have done a little digging and here is what I have come up with. Correct me if I'm wrong.

That the Standard Siler lock is one of the best goes without saying. That's why so many of them have been used on Custom guns for years.
It may or may not be actually built by Jim Chambers company. Many are not and, speaking for myself even those built by others (including myself) have been very good.

The Deluxe lock is built by Jim Chambers company and although the lockplate is the same as the Standard Lock, the other parts have been revised to improve it. The tumbler is different, the bearing surfaces have been minimized to reduce friction and generally enhance the locks speed.
It is one of the best, made better.

The "Golden Age" has a larger lockplate than the Standard or Deluxe lock.
The overall length (scaling TOTW Photos) is about 5.630 while the Standard lock is about 5.400.
From the frizzen screw to the forward end of the lock is about 1.46 while the Standard lock is about 1.30 from it's frizzen screw.
The Golden Age lock has slightly different vertical lines behind the Cock.
I'm sure there are other differences but these are the ones that caught my eye.
In general, because of the increased length it looks to me to be more graceful than the Standard lock.

Zonie

 

[oldarmy]

If you ever want to sell the "kit" rifle.
A rifle with a Jim Chambers built Delux Siler will fetch a better price. Is it better then the "no name" one, I don't know, but the market seems to think so.

 

[Bartek]

The posts so far have been helpful.

And they constantly are !!! :hatsoff:
Thank You all for help
bartek

 

Jim's folks build all of the locks for TOTW, as well as any that you buy directly from Jim, including the regular Siler.

I wholeheartedly agree with purchasing the lock directly from Jim and Barbie. Their service is impeccable. My Golden Age lock had a fly problem, I sent it back for Jim to repair, and not only did he fix the fly, but he noticed a sear issue and fixed that as well. I mailed the lock on Monday, and had it back in my hands on Friday. I only paid for shipping one-way. It doesn't get any better than that!

 

[Gary]

Jim Chambers (Lock Assembly class at Conner Prairie) told us having consistent speed is better than being the fastest. The fastest lock Jim ever found was off some import. That same lock wasn't the most consistent though.

 

[DrTimboone]

Someinfo from Jim's site:

Golden Age Flintlock
(assembled only)
Model #L-3
This lock is of the same period (1770-1790) and style as the original Siler Flintlock. However, several changes have been made: the lock plate is longer and has a slimmer tail for good wrist architecture; the taller hammer enables the flint to scrape more of the frizzen face for more sparks; and the tumbler is engineered to give a long throw and a cam-type action. These features, along with bearing surfaces on both tumbler axles, make this lock very fast--and more importantly--very consistent from shot to shot. The sear remains in the same position throughout the cocking stages allowing a single trigger to be snugged up tight and rattle free.

Dimensions:5-9/16" x 15/16"
Flint Size: 7/8" x 3/4"

Deluxe Siler Flintlock
Model # L-18

Need to replace a standard large Siler lock, or do you have a pre-carved stock already inlet for a large Siler, or do you just want something a little better that the standard Siler lock? The Deluxe Siler uses the standard Siler plate, but incorporates the taller hammer, different tumbler, and fancy frizzen spring from the Golden Age lock for improved performance.

Dimensions: 5 ¼" x 1"
Flint Size: 7/8" x ¾"