Lott lock

[CrackStock]

Greetings all,

I have a question about a pair of locks that I picked up at a sale the other day. It is a bright steel lock with some engraving on it and the name Lott on the side. It looks like a musket lock or maybe a trade gun lock. Somewhat similar to a Bess lock, but too thin from top to bottom at the front. I heard that it may have used by Navy Arms years ago for a trade gun.

It sparks well, but the flint eats the frizzen excessively, so a hardening is in order.

I have heard two stories about the guns suitable for this lock.

1 was that Lott was a lock maker shortly after 1800, so the lock would only be appropriate for after that time period.

2. was that it was from earlier in the 1700s.

Does anyone have the real answer?

I know that I could weld up the name and then polish it out, but would rather use it in an appropriate stock.
I will likely mount one in a board for demo/teaching purposes and the other will likely be made into a fowler or trade gun.

Thanks.

YMHS,
CrackStock

 

[Stumpkiller]

Pedersoli made/makes a trade gun with "Lott" marked locks. I assume they based that on an original from some collection.

 

[rich pierce]

The Lott that was available in the late 70's and early 80s was a trade gun piece. Big, round, and simple. Note that trade guns often used parts that were not exactly the latest style, because the customer wanted and expected consistency, and because parts of the latest style usually have higher demand and cost more.

I would be comfortable using a lock of this style on plain or cheaper grade muskets and fowlers from say 1770 to 1800 and any smoothbore tradeguns of the 1770's to 1840s. Or any gun with a history of being cobbled together from old parts.

 

[CrackStock]

Big, round and simple -- yup. That's the one.

No fly and it is stamped "Made in Italy"

Hmmmm.

Okay -- so I need to learn to add photos to my posts.

Might need to start looking for a stock blank and barrel.

Does anyone know anything about the date of the original Lott locks?

Would this be appropriate for a Rev War militia fowler?

 

[rich pierce]

Don't know about originals or if there WERE originals marked LOTT. I'd use it in a militia gun. The LOTT locks were noted for being solid and reliable and could be tuned to be faster by polishing a little and were good sparkers.

 

[CrackStock]

Thanks Rich,

I have found other info that leads me to believe that there were original locks marked Lott. However, there are two tales from there regarding time periods. One is pre Rev War and the other is post 1800.

I will try some other sources.

Thanks again -- you are right on the money on everything that you posted.

YMHS,
CrackStock

 

[B.Habermehl]

The style of the Lott locks from Pedersoli is pre rev war. as was said most any early trade gun style would be OK. These lock will need a bit of tuning as mine certainly did. Your frizzen is case hardened and will wear through, been there done that. Case hardening is not hard to do though. You can make them work rather well. At one time they were the only big early lock out there. BJH