Swivel barrel - trigger - barrel lock ideas

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PhDBrewer

Buckskin Baxter
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Hello all, images are from a recently acquired left hand, flintlock, swivel barrel pistol that is not fully assembled/complete. I am assuming that the parts were at one time built as a "functioning" pistol or casts from such.

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I am trying to understand how the "pin", which is attached to the trigger, is used to lock the barrel in place. Is there a missing spring?
20230505_103948.jpg

Or is the thin, notched washer a spring to hold it in?
20230505_105709.jpg
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Or ???.
I am assuming that the trigger is not "pinned" to the wood and floats between the trigger plate and the sear.
Top image shows sear trigger relationship.
Pushing the trigger backwards backs out the pin to allow the barrel to rotate. Move the trigger forward to engage pin and lock barrel in place. ... and accidentally trip the sear? Smile.
Should there be a spring that moves the trigger forward?
Thanks in advance for any ideas.
William
 

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This shows the outside of the lock . The trigger is not connected to the pin in this image.
 

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Well. I do not want the flash from the pan coming out at my face...
Smile...
Any ides on how the original worked? Or any other opines on solving this question: swiveling the barrel by pulling the trigger back and then pushing it forward to engage the pin. Then cock the hammer and fire!
 
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As mentioned above, to really answer, we'd need to have it in hand .... here's my guess after looking at many different swivel mechanisms over the years. Remove the "extraneous" lock washer from the spindle and I think you've got it.
The forward push on the trigger should release the swivel, while a rearward pull should fire the gun. I've only seen one original 150 year old gun with this push-pull trigger, but the maker used a chain instead of a pin. Here's a couple pictures that may help you
Screen Shot 2023-05-11 at 8.38.30 AM.png
Screen Shot 2023-05-11 at 8.43.16 AM.png
 
Yet another image of the plate, spindle and nut ( with a more traditional swivel release mechanism). The guru of this mechanism is Bill Paton, who regularly comments on the ALR site. If you need a definitive answer, check with Bill
Screen Shot 2023-05-11 at 8.44.40 AM.png
 

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