Question about Replacing a Flintlock

[GomezMunoz1951]

Back a couple of years ago, I was rummaging around in a junk store (sort of like an antique store only the stuff was not as nice). Anyway, I came across a flintlock pistol. It looks kind of like a Tower Flintlock pistol. It looks almost like a 12 gauge bore with the nice brass furniture on it. It also has a crown with a G R under it right under the flash pan and "Liberty Japan" on the barrel. It has a "half stock" with a metal rib that runs down the barrel and holds wooden ramrod in it. The metal rib popped off apparently because it was a lousy solder job but the rest of the gun is solid. Surprisingly, the inletting is excellent with no gaps.

I tore it apart and everything looks serviceable except for the lock. It is rather cheaply made and I bought a flint and tried cocking and shooting the pistol (no powder) and never have been able to get any sparks whatsoever.

I tested the barrel by putting it in a vice and shooting blank loads (no ball but paper wadding and used a red hot wire to set the powder off and it worked great. So I presume that if I can get a good lock for it, it would shoot. I am not going to load any heavy loads for it, just some plinking.

Would it be possible to change the lock and have the pistol shoot? I know it is an oddball and probably cheap manufacture but it seems shootable. Where can I get a good inexpensive lock for this?

 

[inlikeflint]

Case harden the frizen. Or have some one else do it for you. There are also other ways to repair the soft frizen on those locks.
finding a lock to fit exactly is hard.

 

[Birddog6]

You can't. Unless the same store has a lock for it. :idunno:

A replacement lock that will "Work" is gonna cost ya roughly $ 150. IF... you can find one that will fit.

Look in a TOW catalog & see if they have one close. Their lock photos are actual size.

Or shoe the frizzen or have someone shoe it for you. Then you might be able to get it to fire.

Keith Lisle

 

[irishtoo]

drop down a couple of topics below this one. its all about fixing/treating a frizzen for spark. "1095 steel" irishtoo

 

[44-henry]

I wouldn't put much money onto that pistol and casehardening the frizzen would be the simplest option. The pack process is best, but a can of cherry red or kasenite and a propane torch (check out bean can forge on Google as an inexpensive high heat source that you can build) would likely be sufficient.

 

[ZUG]

As some others have said already that pistol is not worth the fix-up price :shake: . That said if it was me and I just HAD TO GET IT TO WORK - I would buy the Chambers gunsmith lock and make a copy of the existing lock :hmm: . Again -- it is not worth the effort and cost -- hang it on the wall and impress your friends

 

[jerrywh]

My guess is that gun was never made to shoot. I would be afraid of it unless I proof tested it and checked the breech plug.

 

[Tinker2]

“Case harden the frizen. Or have some one else do it for you”

Someone that knows how and can tell you if it’s safe




William Alexander

 

[44-henry]

I think Dixie Gun Works used to sell those and they offered the service of casehardening the frizzens that were known to be soft. If you replace the lock you will probably want to replace the barrel, stock, and other furniture at the same time, sort of a George Washington's Axe quest, but, left alone it could still make a fun shooter if you get the frizzen hardened and the barrel proofed for safety. Those pistols were never originally loaded very heavy anyway and those large calibers generate less pressure on the breech.

 

[Heelerau]

I had something similar 30 yrs ago, a mate hardened the frizzen and it sparked well, only used a light charge and a 62 cal ball fun to shoot, lock was basically manure, not even a bridle.

Cheers

Heelerau