Lock I.D.

[chawbeef]

Hello all. I just acquired a lock from a friend and was wondering if anyone can identify the manufacturer, type and use of this lock. The lock plate alone is 6 inches long. The frizzen spring is quite heavy and there is logo of a fox (??) I think or an aardvark?? LOL on the plate. The mainspring looks like it doesn't fit in a notch in the bolster but has a screw hole in it. The only other markings are the number 12 stamped on the bolster and the frizzen.............................Daniel

 

[OldRust]

Morning Nice looking lock. Could it be from these folks ? Sitting Fox Muzzleloaders

sittingfoxmuzzleloaders.com | We’re big enough to serve you, yet small enough to know you!

Thanks O.R.

 

[Grenadier1758]

That is a Sitting Fox stamp on the lock. Several makers were making a lock for the trade guns with a Sitting Fox stamped on the plate.

Sitting Fox Muzzle Loaders is a good place to start.

How does it spark?

 

[plmeek]

Your lock was meant for a Northwest trade gun. It appears to be one of Curly Gostomski's locks from North Star Enterprises that he owned (see scan below from The Book of Buckskinning III). These locks (and parts for them) are no longer available due to health problems of the person that bought the company from Gostomski.

 

[chawbeef]

That is a Sitting Fox stamp on the lock. Several makers were making a lock for the trade guns with a Sitting Fox stamped on the plate.

Sitting Fox Muzzle Loaders is a good place to start.

How does it spark?

I have to tune it first, the sear nose catches the half cock notch at the moment. I also think that the tumbler may be soft...........................Daniel

 

[chawbeef]

Your lock was meant for a Northwest trade gun. It appears to be one of Curly Gostomski's locks from North Star Enterprises that he owned (see scan below from The Book of Buckskinning III). These locks (and parts for them) are no longer available due to health problems of the person that bought the company from Gostomski.

Thanks Phil. Looks like the main spring is held in place with a screw which looks like the head is broke off. No mounting holes in the bolster or front of lock plate so I think it was never used............Daniel

 

[plmeek]

Yes, the main spring was held in place with a screw that has broken off.

Here are a couple of pictures that some other forum members have posted of their North Star Enterprises lock from the inside. I agree, I don't see any evidence that your lock has ever been on a gun.

 

[Fire-Steel]

That is not a Sitting Fox lock. It looks like a North Star lock. I have a couple of the North Star guns, both Curly and Northstar West.
It has the Military styled slotted top jaw and hammer spur.
The Sitting Fox uses a flat spur with the top jaw riding flat against it.
Just my observation on it. Has been heavily sand or bead blasted.