Davis Colonial American Flintlock question

[deano]

Anyone have experience with the Davis Colonial American Flintlock? This lock is the correct style for my next  build and I'd like to see if anyone has had experience with using it long term? According to the web site Jack Brooks designed the lock so the design started out right...so I guess the big question is are they assembled well.

Thanks,

Ken

[little joe]

I have used a couple because of the way the exterior is designed. These 2 were well assembled however they were hard on flints. Good shooting

[Acer Saccharum]

I used one on this build, and found the lock to be scary powerful. http://flintrifles.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/tc-b-020.jpg

I curved the frizzen more toward the cock, as I thought it would give me a longer scrape path, with less of the flint 'smacking' the frizzen open.

It is well put together, built like a truck.

Tom

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

That is such a cool rifle Tom.

[Acer Saccharum]

I must add that this lock has been very reliable. I casehardened the whole plate, cock, frizzen, and it is FAST. It's not for wimps. It's a beartrap of a lock. Great for an early gun, amply proportioned, buxom type.

The Davis quality has been getting better and better. It's such a treat to have good locks to choose from. (showing my age)

[Don Getz]

Tom......neat rifle, I like what you did, or didn't do with the checking in the stock.  I built a similar gun using one of these
locks, a lot of lock, as you said.   My gun was a "Christian's Spring" barn gun.    I will also have another similar gun which
had a big check in the butt.....will show you how John and I solved that problem.   Just ask me about the "staple gun"
....ha.............Don

[Mike Brooks]

I have used alot of them, excellent locks.

[deano]

Thanks everyone great information, it sounds like a real winner.

Ken

[Jim Kibler]

You might want to do a search of the archives.  I believe this was discussed in the past.  If I remember correctly there were a some concerns expressed by a few.

[Acer Saccharum]

Lock likes bevel up flints.

Issue: I was having trouble with the frizzen bouncing back and crushing flints until I discovered the best strike zone.

[deano]

Going into an early gun with a full 2" butt that needs a manly lock...

[Pete G.]

Lock likes bevel up flints.

Issue: I was having trouble with the frizzen bouncing back and crushing flints until I discovered the best strike zone.

....and how was this determined and addressed?

[Mark Elliott]

Tom,    I love that photo.  Who took it?

[volatpluvia]

Wow, Tom!
That is a manly looking rifle.  The wrist and butt look like it could stand up to an elephant load.
volatpluvia

[Acer Saccharum]

Lock likes bevel up flints.

Issue: I was having trouble with the frizzen bouncing back and crushing flints until I discovered the best strike zone.

....and how was this determined and addressed?

Pete, I tried reshaping the frizzen spring to provide more resistance, which didn't help much. I also curved up the toe of the friz spring to hold the frizzen open. Which didn't help. I found that the flint hitting the frizzen lower down kept it from bouncing back.

The mainspring is a killer, but I didn't try reducing its strength as it's a cast spring, and I don't trust my heat treating on such a thing.


Mark, the photo was taken by the honorable and talented Jim Filipski. http://flintrifles.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/tc-b-016.jpg