Determining Lock Size

[James]

I searched 'lock size', didn't take me where I needed to be.  How should I word the search so that I can find how to decide when to use a small or large lock based on breech size?

[rich pierce]

Early guns had barrels that were large at the breech and locks were correspondingly large. Later guns often had slimmer barrels and locks became more trim also. Lock choice depends as much on era and style as barrel diameter.

7/8” at breech is probably where a smaller lock works better. At same time one could make a Late Ketland Work on a 15/-6” barrel.

[Mike Brooks]

Early guns had barrels that were large at the breech and locks were correspondingly large. Later guns often had slimmer barrels and locks became more trim also. Lock choice depends as much on era and style as barrel diameter.

7/8” at breech is probably where a smaller lock works better. At same time one could make a Late Ketland Work on a 15/-6” barrel.

I have seen Late Kentland's on chunk guns with 1 1/4" barrels. Looks fine if you know what you're doing. But "generally , as you stated well, the smaller the barrel the smaller the lock.
 I have put rifle sized locks on pistols in the past that I thought came out well.

[hanshi]

I've always liked the looks of somewhat larger locks on long guns.  Often, smaller ones are more efficient; it's just that, well.......but what do I know.