Need lock patterns/designs

[Titus]

I have been searching far and wide and I am struggling to find a source of lock patterns/designs with the correct dimensions and placement of the various holes etc.

I am not afraid to do physical work and have made quite a few things with only files and steel and would like to try my hand at making a lock from scratch. Even if I fail in my project its fine by me, but I reckon it would be a great experience to do this and if it comes out as a success, I am sure it would be extremely satisfying. Also here in South Africa there is no source of lock castings etc, and importation from the US or elsewhere is not an option as it would only get stolen or confiscated somewhere in our mail system. So apart from suggestions to rather buy a semi finished set of lock castings, can someone please help me with designs and or patterns. I would also like to hear from any guys who have done something like this before. :grin:

 

[broadarrow]

G'Day Titus, what sort of lock pattern can we help you with rifle, pistol or military musket and in percussion or flint ? You might also have some success looking at the Dixie Gun Works book section they have how to books on a lot of gun related projects, I hope this helps, Regards, Peter B.

P.S. Attempting something and having it not work out is not a failure as you always learn from the journey of sorting out what you have created....and the brain teaser is always fun!!

 

[Titus]

Thanks BroadArrow. I am looking for flintlock rifle patterns to try out. I agree with you, its almost like a bad day fishing, its always better than a good day at the office. :grin:

 

[Bubba45]

Track of the wolf has a book by Pryor Mt. Bill Newton on locks .

 

[J.D.]

The illustrations from the net may, or may not help. With that in mind, there are a coupla web pages with good illustrations of locks on them. Printing those pages and enlarging or reducing the photos to life size might help with making a pattern for the lock you want to make.

Once the life size illustrations are made, make several copies to cut each piece from, using a fine point knife. Those cutouts are your templates for each part. A pin prick in the center of the screw head, in the photos can locate the various pivot points and screw holes.
http://www.flintriflesmith.com/antique_gun_locks.htm

You may get some ideas from this page on assembling lock castings.
http://www.ctmuzzleloaders.com/ctml_experiments/mantonlock/mantonlock.html

There might be something here that you can use.
http://members.aye.net/~bspen/index.html

Scroll down to the second section of links to several articles that might be of interest.

God bless

 

[bioprof]

The Rifle Shoppe's catalog has life-sized pictures of quite a few lock plates, mainsprings, and cocks that might get you started.

I don't know if you know about them, but Blackley and Sons in Great Britain sells great castings. They may be able to help you out too. Their web site is: http://www.blackleyandson.com/

 

[mazo kid]

In addition to the above mentioned sources, Track of the Wolf's catalog has full size photos of locks and parts. You can use them as is for templates or modify the lock plates and make the internals to fit.

 

[jmforge]

Very interesting! Blackley has a percussion bar lock that they call the Whitworth lock that appears to be cast/cut for the front mounted stalking safety. I haven't seen that on the any other lock makers products. :grin:

 

[qtrhrs7]

Hi, Titus,
I hope these will help. Muzzleloader Builders Supply offers Rifle Furniture Patterns and Engraving, and, The Johnson Record. These have some patterns in them that may help.

 

[Vaino]

I don't think the info you seek is readily available. Years ago all my locks were assembled from "kits" because of the lousy locks then on the market and today I just buy Chambers' locks. By the way....even w/ a "kit" it sometimes wasn't an easy task to make an excellently functioning lock. One way and a mighty interesting way at that, is to buy an assembled lock of high quality and study the relationships and purposes of the various parts and then make an accurate layout of an assembled lock and "pullout" the parts and make detailed drawings of them. The resultant lock wouldn't have to be a copy of the sample lock because once the mechanics of a flintlock are understood, your "own" design is possible. Good luck......Fred