why are modern fusil locks too small?

[benvenuto]

Sorry if this has been discussed before (I have been on vacation for 6 months)...

I have been wondering ever since the discussion on the "best" fusil de chasse why it is that many of the modern fusil locks are not exact replicas of the originals, particularly as regards the size of the lockplate?

Is there some production related problem -say a limit to the size the investment castings can be made?

Or is it maybe a case of trying to market a lock that can be used on rifles as well as fusils?

I realise no two fusil locks were alike (apart from the experimental interchangeable locks briefly made at Tulle), but why make a replica thats not really a replica?

thanks

 

[rich pierce]

Short answer: No problems making larger locks and there are internals for big locks available.

Long answer, with editorial: Most of the locks we have now were designed to be multi-purpose locks. Many of the locks being used for fusils are slight modifications of previous iterations of locks. Lockmakers can seldom bank on selling enough of a lock that is single purpose. How many fusil de chasses are there compared to 1770's-1800 longrifles (most having Silers)? Tooling and molds cost a lot of time and money. Every new lock design (plate, cock and frizzen) would cost about $10,000 to launch, if the maker gave themselves a decent wage, like yours or mine.

Lockmakers may or may not be the best historians for a particular genre. They are skilled at what they do, and we're thankful for that.

(here I will go into full, "we used to walk to school uphill both ways through 2 feet of snow" mode. This is a general comment, not meant to directly respond to the above post, which poses a good question)
There are about 3x as many lock choices now as in the late 70's, and many to most of them are much better locks. It was impossible to hope for anything as fine as some of today's offerings. It is easy to modify lockplates and cocks to achieve the style you want, and then you have something unique and better than what others have, and can be glad they aren't commercially available just like yours.

Times have really changed and folks no longer make hardly any parts, and we're used to having everything available now, ready to make any style of gun we want. Just order the kit and assemble.
(end of raving from an old man)

 

[redwing]

If you visit the Fur Trade Museum at Chadron, Neb. you will see many original "Fuzees". Among the "Fuzzes" you will find those made from about 1812 to 1815. These were made with small rifle locks due to the military demand for the larger locks during the War Of 1812. :thumbsup:

 

[Henry]

Fusil de chasse just means hunting shotgun ,
I guess you are talking about the " fusil de chasse et de service de Tulle " Tulle made gun for
milicia and service , before 1759 .

There are only two locks available , as far as I know : the Rifle Shoppe one , wich is actually a copy of a St Étienne , no big problem since on average there are less difference between Tulle and St Étienne than the various year production of Tulle . That one is of the right size but is no
piece of cake assembling .

The other , sold by Track and other outlets
really is a German style lock that can be modified to look pretty much like a Tulle lock .

The Rifle Shoppe lock plate is : 5.97 "
the Track of the Wolfe plate is : 5.69 "
Difference : .28"

As PC Nazi as I can be ( I prefer "archeologically friendly ") I do not lose sleep over it as long as the makers grind of the décorations at the back of the striker and at the base of the dog .

The massive , sausage like , fore-end
on the wood stock is visible at a greater distance .

Votre humble etc ,etc.
Henry
Milice de Chambly

 

[benvenuto]

Thanks for all the great responses!

I guess we are a bit spoilt today as far as available choices go

Not so long ago here in Australia people were machining down surplus Browning .50 cal barrels to make muzzleloaders!

The lock thing always struck me as being a silly because while it is relatively easy to reduce the size of a lockplate (or remove unecessary frills) it is more difficult to add metal on!

Thanks again - I really appreciate the knowledgeable and honest responses I always get here!