Identifying Three Settle Rifle Locks

[SteveMKentucky]

I'm researching the three generations of Settle family members that were gunsmiths in Central Kentucky from the late 1700's to the mid 1800's.  I had the opportunity to personally examine three rifles in the collection of the Kentucky Museum (WKU) today and am trying to find anything I can about the components used.  The following pictures show the three locks on the guns:









I expect that the first lock was made by the gunsmith, Felix Settle.  The next two pictures are of a rifle built by Simon Settle and appear to have a commercially procured lock.  I can't quite make out the maker but it appears to be G. Goelcher.  The third rifle was made by Felix Settle and also appears to have a commercially procured lock.  There is no name but I'm hoping that someone recognizes the "arrow-H" engraving.

[Don Stith]

The arrow thru the H is a cheap lock made in Dayton Ohio. Ususally have a square link connecting the mainspring to the tumbler

[JV Puleo]

Gun Smiths did not make their own locks... virtually no one made their own locks because it was impossible to compete with the British and Belgian lockmakers... Locks were sold through hardware stores. A wide variety of quality was available. Those look like about the cheapest.

[smokinbuck]

Steve,
I agree with the info that has been given. The back action locks would indicate to me that they were somewhat later than you are thinking. The Golcher lock, spelled several ways, was made by a very prolific lock making family out of the Philadelphia area and were used by many makers. The second lock shown has obviously been heavily dinked with over the years.
Mark

[SteveMKentucky]

... The back action locks would indicate to me that they were somewhat later than you are thinking. ...
Mark

Mark,

   The rifles made by Felix Settle had to be made between 1832 when he began using percussion locks and 1870 when he died.  I have genealogical records that confirm his birth and death dates.  The first two rifles are very consistent with other Settle rifles I've seen so I'm convinced they are authentic.  Here's a picture of his mark on the barrel for general interest.



Thank you to the info to date.  It appears that most of the locks I've seen on percussion Settle rifles were Golchers.  The shape of the lock plate is consistent anyway.  The lock on the third gun above is an exception.

I'm also not surprised that the locks are inexpensive ones.  The Settles largely made utilitarian rifles that could be afforded by locals.  They also sold rifles out of state but I think most were sold in Kentucky.  During the Civil War both Felix and Simon reportedly made "sharpshooting rifles" for Confederate forces.

Felix Settle during his prime:

[smokinbuck]

Steve,
I am not questioning the authenticity of your rifles, just saying that I think they were later rifles and used readily available locks as opposed to having been made by the builder. I have a number of rifles with similar parts and of the same general time frame.
Mark

[SteveMKentucky]

Steve,
I am not questioning the authenticity of your rifles, just saying that I think they were later rifles and used readily available locks as opposed to having been made by the builder. I have a number of rifles with similar parts and of the same general time frame.
Mark

Mark,

   I didn't think you were.  What I'm saying is that the rifles had to be made before 1870 because Felix died that year.

[Hurricane ( of Virginia)]

Shelby Galien , on this site, the author of a fine 2 volume authoritative set of books on the true Kentucky ( state) gunmakers should be help to you.
Hurricane

[galamb]

With regard to the Golcher lock (with the name spelled incorrectly).

There is a Jim Whisker article that was published in one of the AOLRC (newsletters) about the history of the Golcher's.

There was a G. Golcher who was active as a gunsmith in the 1880's (and noted that he probably worked as one before that but that was the earliest records that were found).

What Mr. Whisker did suspect was that either an English or Belgian lock maker was trying to capitalize of the Golcher lock fame and produced a line of locks with a "close spelling". Alternately, Golcher may have contracted out the construction of some of his locks, but he did not have direct evidence of either.

[oakridge]

Steve, your time frame seems okay for the use of those locks. G. Golcher locks appear on rifles made in the 1840 - 1860 period. And, back-action locks were certainly in use by 1840.

[JV Puleo]

The Goulcher's were an English "Black Country" lock making family, one of whom emigrated to the United States. He apparently claimed to be making locks in the US at one point (though, personally, I doubt this). The emigrant Goulcher may well have been the Birmingham lock maker that John Dent Goodman met in Philadelphia and mentioned in his testimony to Parliament in the 1850s. Most likely he imported them from other members of his family or was acting as their agent. There was no "truth in advertising" law in the 19th century so claims that they were "made in America" have to be taken with a large grain of salt. Its quite possible that the name was copied on even less expensive Belgian locks. In fact, I think I've seen photos of "Goulcher" marked locks that are unfinished and still in Belgium. At one time I had an unused example that had never been drilled for the lock screws or recessed for a drum. These were likely made to order in large quantity for some American wholesale hardware dealer but baring the appearance of some new cache of 19th century business records (themselves extremely rare) I doubt we will ever know the full story.

[Dphariss]

Locks were being made so cheap in Birmingham and Belgium that it was very rare for a rifle to have an American made lock. Especially guns of common quality. Armstrong apparently made his own locks or someone made them to his dimensions. The Bedford County locks are also unique. Some Hawken rifles apparently have locks that were American made. Possibly because many of the import locks were of such dismal quality.



I would also add that Greener also pointed to the poor quality of the export barrels being made circa 1830 in England.

Dan