Shot the Wheellock today.

[lexington1]

My wife bought me a little wheellock for my birthday a few years back. Unfortunately, it had an Indian made lock. I tried to make it shootable, but it was too much of a pos. I sent the lock to Bolek Maciaszczyk in Poland and problem solved. I had to inlet some of the internals as he completely remade the lock, using only the original lockplate. It was fun!

 

[PathfinderNC]

Very cool.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

That is awesome ... just LOVE the wheelies I do!

 

[Granville]

That is very nice, thanks for posting. I don't know a lot about them, its Pyrite used to ignite the charge? where do you source that, how many shots would you theoretically expect from one piece?

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

... its Pyrite used to ignite the charge? where do you source that, how many shots would you theoretically expect from one piece?

Yes, pyrite or 'Fool's Gold' that makes the spark. Most of us are getting the pieces from gem dealers on eBay. There's a few other posts here in the Pre-Flintlock Forum about the use of 'cut chunks' versus 'crumbly' pieces that look like molded sand, but we're finding those work too!

I think to date the most shots I've shot in a row was around 30 and only had 1 misfire, a flash in the pan, so the wheel did spark and ignite the priming powdah. I attribute that misfire to not enough of a pan charge [meaning ... MY fault!], as I only charge the pan on the side of the wheel next to the barrel.

I do wipe the pyrite religioulsy, actually brushing it with a bronze brush, then an alcohol wipe every 10-shots or so. I'm finding the crumbly pieces to spark more reliable myself.

 

[Granville]

30 shots is impressive. You said that you sent the lock to Poland, is there a resource for wheelock parts, or kits? I was wondering how one would get involved in the hobby and how much of an investment it would be starting out?

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Complete wheellock 'custom' arms from an EXCELLENT builder used to be available for ballpark $2,500+ ... but they retired .

Bolek M. from Poland sells locks only for > $1,500+, likely way more now with outrageous inflation, plus that of a 2+ year wait.

Unfortunately, unless one is a seasoned gunsmith, blacksmith and very experienced in machining capability and with heat treating metals ... I can't recommend the kits from The Rifle Shoppe; they are not for those less inclinded.

 

[lexington1]

The lock itself will probably cost about $1500-$1600 dollars to have the guy in Poland make. I don't really know of any other sources. Maybe The Rifle Shoppe, but you would have to try building it. The rest you can figure approx. the same as any other muzzleloader. When I first shot this one the pyrite started to crumble and break, and I thought that it was going to go through pyrites like every few shots. But after it settled down the pyrite has lasted quite a while, something on the order of 20 shots and at least that many times snapping it just to see it work. It still looks ok too. In my very limited experience with the wheellock it is just as quick at a good flintlock. One downside is it seems like you have to keep adjusting the Pyrite.

 

[lexington1]

Ha, I just noticed that you posted almost the same while I was typing!

 

[Campbell]

Dang! That was fast ignition!

 

[toot]

a wheel lock is almost a rock lock.

 

[John May]

Back in the 70's CVA made a wheelock kit with a Spanish made lock, .45" cal octagonal barrel and basic German Big Pistol/Small Carbine styled woodwork. I had one and did shoot it here in the UK. It was eventually confiscated by the Police as it wasn't proofed and therefore sold illegally. As I remember the **** was too long and the pyrite wouldn't line up with the wheel. I overcame this by making a replacement offset 'rock' from steel with lighter flints set into the edge. It worked and was very quick! I have since bought a couple in auction, one, an all steel Engineer made 'Puffer' style pistol is pictured below. It's about .62" cal but would never be safe to fire as the breech plug is only threaded in about 1/4"! The other is all in pieces and destined to be a carbine length 'shooter'. The lock is good but the wood was pine (?) and the barrel was steel conduit with a welded seam along its's full length!! I love the concept... We have a company here in the UK called E.J Blackley who list 2 different styles of Wheelock kit, one German and the other Italian I think. Downside is the waiting time for castings is completely open ended and some of us are too old to wait years!

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

We have a company here in the UK called E.J Blackley who list 2 different styles of Wheelock kit, one German and the other Italian I think. Downside is the waiting time for castings is completely open ended and some of us are too old to wait years!

Hmmmmmmmm ... unfortunately it sounds like that Blackley company is the UK version of the looooooooong wait we here in the US have with The Rifle Shoppe (TRS) company!

Now I myself wouldn't mind it sooooo much if TRS at least gave one a somewhat accurate picture of the wait or purchasing/pipeline challenge - but they don't. We have been told 'you'll have it in 3-weeks' only to get (hopefully!) 8-months later, and that was just 1 recent example Ricky-StL faced. But when I needed another casting a few months ago, I'd rather they say up front "We are out of stock on them and don't order them until we receive active orders for 6 (or 8 or whatever#) of them and you're #3 on the list ... so it could be a while".

Then at least I'd know that I could be dead before my heirs got the part, LOL! 'Nuff said ... rant out ...

 

[lexington1]

Hmmmmmmmm ... unfortunately it sounds like that Blackley company is the UK version of the looooooooong wait we here in the US have with The Rifle Shoppe (TRS) company!

Now I myself wouldn't mind it sooooo much if TRS at least gave one a somewhat accurate picture of the wait or purchasing/pipeline challenge - but they don't. We have been told 'you'll have it in 3-weeks' only to get (hopefully!) 8-months later, and that was just 1 recent example Ricky-StL faced. But when I needed another casting a few months ago, I'd rather they say up front "We are out of stock on them and don't order them until we receive active orders for 6 (or 8 or whatever#) of them and you're #3 on the list ... so it could be a while".

Then at least I'd know that I could be dead before my heirs got the part, LOL! 'Nuff said ... rant out ...

You summed up my exact experiences and sentiment with TRS exactly. With Blackleys, I talked to Mrs. Blackley in Vegas a couple months ago. She told me that they may not be doing any more castings as her husband has not been feeling well for a while. A very nice lady I might add.

 

[John May]

Regarding E J Blackley, I waited almost 9 months for a very basic percussion pistol hammer for a repair I wanted to do, in the end it did arrive and is a very good casting. It would be a shame if they stopped trading as there is almost nobody here in the UK to replace them. Still, the way the UK Government are talking up the lead ban it won't matter anyway!
I have had a e-mail from the MLAGB saying the Health and Safety Executive are looking into it, sadly it's most likely to be just a matter of time before they decide to do something stupid.

 

[Staubsauger54]

Back in the 70's CVA made a wheelock kit with a Spanish made lock, .45" cal octagonal barrel and basic German Big Pistol/Small Carbine styled woodwork. I had one and did shoot it here in the UK. It was eventually confiscated by the Police as it wasn't proofed and therefore sold illegally. As I remember the **** was too long and the pyrite wouldn't line up with the wheel. I overcame this by making a replacement offset 'rock' from steel with lighter flints set into the edge. It worked and was very quick! I have since bought a couple in auction, one, an all steel Engineer made 'Puffer' style pistol is pictured below. It's about .62" cal but would never be safe to fire as the breech plug is only threaded in about 1/4"! The other is all in pieces and destined to be a carbine length 'shooter'. The lock is good but the wood was pine (?) and the barrel was steel conduit with a welded seam along its's full length!! I love the concept... We have a company here in the UK called E.J Blackley who list 2 different styles of Wheelock kit, one German and the other Italian I think. Downside is the waiting time for castings is completely open ended and some of us are too old to wait years!


View attachment 139753

 

[Staubsauger54]

Hi John,

Just joined and read your old message. I bought one of those Spanish made locks, built a gun around it, then the main spring broke ! Sent it to my friend Dale Shinn in the US for a replacement. He wasn't very impressed with the lock and instead built me a left handed German/Austrian style rifle with "Cheek" stock.
Starting to shoot it again and have the same problem with the iron pyrite , ordered some of the Chinese , lets see how it goes. Originally from Letchworh, Herts, but now Wellingtn , NZ

Cheers

Rolands

 

[Teleoceras]

Lexington1:

She is a beauty! Bolek really is a master on getting Wheelies back up and running. He did the same for me last year and did an incredible job! He really knows his stuff.