Manton Lock on Trade Gun Build

[mtsage]

I'm piecing together a list of parts I want for a NW Trade gun I will build. Researched some but could not find anybodies builds with a Manton lock. L & R model #1700 is a Manton. Specs look good. Anybody have any thoughts on this lock for the Trade gun build? Doesn't appear to be lock of choice for this flint gun. Any thoughts?

Thanks
mtsage

 

[Notchy Bob]

Manton built fine guns. Trade guns were solid weapons, but inexpensive. Trade guns (smoothbores) also tended to have very large locks. The Manton lock would be too small to look right on a trade gun. I doubt if you would find a serpent side plate to fit it.

Trade guns were produced in large quantities to more or less specific patterns. Sometimes parts of used-up trade guns were repurposed or re-used to assemble new guns made on the frontier. So, I guess you could make up a story about your gun that has a Manton lock and assorted trade gun parts, but it wouldn’t be a trade gun any more.

Good luck with your project!

Notchy Bob

 

[Pete G]

Manton is meant to be for a high end English style; trade gun is meant to be cheap and functional .

 

[oldwood]

Mtnsage........I assume you are building an English trade gun , and want to use English , vs, French , influence parts on it?? The Manton you choose in particular , is a little too small for a robust Indian trade musket. The L+ R Mod. 2000 R/H , would be a better size for what you intend. If the stock style is French ,a slightly different lock and parts set are required for the correct look. By the way ,the small Manton lock you refered to initially, #1700 , makes a fabulous squirrel gun lock. Have used it extensively , as it works very well. L and R 's are good locks........oldwood

 

[mtsage]

Manton built fine guns. Trade guns were solid weapons, but inexpensive. Trade guns (smoothbores) also tended to have very large locks. The Manton lock would be too small to look right on a trade gun. I doubt if you would find a serpent side plate to fit it.

Trade guns were produced in large quantities to more or less specific patterns. Sometimes parts of used-up trade guns were repurposed or re-used to assemble new guns made on the frontier. So, I guess you could make up a story about your gun that has a Manton lock and assorted trade gun parts, but it wouldn’t be a trade gun any more.

Good luck with your project!

Notchy Bob

Hey Notchy,
I guess I'm not trying to be period with this build. I happen to like the looks of the trade gun. And when I look at my Pedersoli Penn flint gun the lock on it is very close, actually the same size as the Manton. I do understand the Trade gun history. Maybe I should not call it a "trade gun" build. Thanks for input. Well taken

 

[mtsage]

Ok then, for my next dumb question, what makes a lock "to small" for a gun? Splain that to me.. Is it the flint size? 5/8" versus 3/4"?
thanks in advance

 

[oldwood]

My own experience.......Larger locks make large volume's of spark , to positively ignite pan powder. That's the reason original trade guns used large , reliable locks. Using "dainty" locks is folly , in the form of shot to shot reliability. Large locks don't foul quickly , as history has shown.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Maybe I should not call it a "trade gun" build.

Bingo. Do yer own thang and call it yours.

 

[64Springer]

OP.

How big is the breech on your barrel? A large breech will require a large lock. So the mainspring can tuck in under/near the bottom of the barrel.

A smallish lock mainspring will hit the side of the barrel.

Just ran into this with my 1.224 breech. It took a 6" x 1" Queen Anne/Colonial lock to make things work. And I still had to shave a touch off the mainspring to get everything to fit properly. Because the mainspring was contacting the bottom angle of the barrel.

 

[mtsage]

OP.

How big is the breech on your barrel? A large breech will require a large lock. So the mainspring can tuck in under/near the bottom of the barrel.

A smallish lock mainspring will hit the side of the barrel.

Just ran into this with my 1.224 breech. It took a 6" x 1" Queen Anne/Colonial lock to make things work. And I still had to shave a touch off the mainspring to get everything to fit properly. Because the mainspring was contacting the bottom angle of the barrel.

That is something that completely slipped my pea size brain. Thanks for pointing that out. This is a project gun from Pecatonica River. I will make sure and get their advice.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I have the L&R Manton lock on my 36 caliber SMR. It is the perfect size for that little rifle and is an excellent performing lock. It is not the lock that I would want on a Trade Rifle. The Queen Ann lock would be my choice.