Harpers Ferry 1807 sidelock

[tccox]

Hi guys, my first post.

I'm looking for info on the above.  I can't post pictures yet so I am hoping someone can point me to some photos of the above.

It is marked with an eagle between the hammer and frizzen with US under that.

Also with the HARPERS FERRY 1807.  It is in almost new conditkion and color case hardened.  The condition looks almost too good.  Should there be internal marks??  It is attached to a home made derringer and I haven't taken it apart yet.

I have tried to do a little research but not much luck.  Best I can do is Google Harpers ferry locks and I don't get much help.  Any assistance will be appreciated. Tom

[JCKelly]

Pedersoli makes a Harpers Ferry pistol with a lock so marked, Dixie sells it in kit form.

[Dennis Glazener]

R. E. Davis sells a 1803 Harpers Ferry see it at this link
http://www.redaviscompany.com/1018.html
Dennis
ps welcome to ALR

[B. Hey]

Hey Tom ... Welcome to the forum. From personal experience, you will learn much from the membership. An amazing wealth of talent and knowledge from which all benefit.

[tccox]

Thanks, Bill et al.  I am mainly interested if this is a REAL HF sidelock or a copy.  I lean towards a copy but who knows.  I would like to see see some real good pictures of real HP locks.  What do I lock for? What do I avoid. Tom

[frogwalking]

I would check the internal screw threads.  Are thay metric or SAE?  I am assuming the originals would be SAE but that may not be correct.  Someone who knows better should chime in here.

[gregg]

I think all US mil guns were metric threads up and thru the Trapdoor Springfield???

[TPH]

No, not metric but certainly not SAE either. The threading on US military guns was identical to the French threading system and remained the same through the production of the Trapdoor Springfield. Many screws used 22 TPI.

tccox, welcome to the Forum. Odds are very great that you have a reproduction lock, especially since it is "in almost new condition and color case hardened". 

[tccox]

TPH, Thanks for your reply.  I really appreciaate it and think you are right.  It is in very good condition.

Do you know of any sites I can visit that might have a good photo of a real lock. I have searched the net dozens of times and just cannot find one.

In the event this is actually a real one, is it of much greater value than a copy? Thanks, Tom

[Curtis]

tccox,

Here are a couple of pics I found on the web, hope they help.
http://www.icollector.com/Rare-U-S-Harpers-Ferry-Model-1805-Flintlock-Martial-Pistol_i9965407

http://www.nrablog.com/post/2009/06/04/Curators-Corner-Harpers-Ferry-1805.aspx

The 1805 pistol has an 1807 lock on it.

[TPH]

Good links SquirrelHeart, those show a good look at the real Harpers Ferry lock of the period. Also remember that the plates, while case hardened, were burnished bright at the arsenal when manufactured, the colors did not show on issue.

[gregg]

No, not metric but certainly not SAE either. The threading on US military guns was identical to the French threading system and remained the same through the production of the Trapdoor Springfield. Many screws used 22 TPI.

OK. What I remember reading was France sided with the US in the revolution and the US adopted the French Musket and threading from then up till the end  the Trapdoor Springfield production??? Does that sound right?

[TPH]

Yes, that is essentially correct. The threading used by the National Armories is sometimes called the Springfield Armory thread system but it was copied from the French standard adopted by the French Committee of Public Safety, St. Denis Armory, in 1791-92. It had been in use for many years before that.

[tccox]

Thanks squirrel. Very good link.  I think mine is a copy since it does not have the little "tit" on the rear of the plate. Or it has been ground off slo well it does not show.  Also the case hardning color shows very well.

At least I do have a very good lock.  Thanks to all, Tom

[gregg]

Yes, that is essentially correct. The threading used by the National Armories is sometimes called the Springfield Armory thread system but it was copied from the French standard adopted by the French Committee of Public Safety, St. Denis Armory, in 1791-92. It had been in use for many years before that.

Thank You , Very interresting.
Modify in sorry did not want high jack the post.