back action flintlock

[elk killer]

found this at a antigue store
anyone know what it off of?
plate is 9" x 1 1/2

[James Wilson Everett]

Guys,

I have seen a few guns bearing back action flintlocks in the very far bush regions of East Africa.  I believe that they were made specifically for the African trade well into the 20th c.  Indeed, perhaps these flintlock guns were so late that they were not made until the 20th c.  Next time I see a hunter with one, I will try to snap a photo, but that may be dangerous to offend the guy.  I get the feeling that these flintlocks were used to replace percussion locks on old military muskets to adapt them for the needs of the hunters in the far bush regions.  Probably from Belgium.

This is only my guess, I really have no data to support.

Jim

[Dan'l 1946]

I believe Turner Kirkland brought in barrels full of these locks back in the 1950-1960 era. Belgian maybe.  Dan

[northup87]

Is this really even a back action lock? Or simply a lock with a long rear tail.

All the back action locks I hace seen on double shotguns and muskets have had the main spring on the tail section of the lock, thus action happened back from the hammer.

This looks like the main spring was still ahead of the hammer to me.

Just an observation.

[elk killer]

the main spring is behind
it has a sturrup thats broken
its definately back action

[Chris Treichel]

Here are some discussions about these...

http://britishmilitariaforums.yuku.com/topic/9755/Late-Belgian-African-Trade-Musket-Conversions#.Uxh7zZiYbcs

[Bob Roller]

A Stoeger gun that sold for very little money--tourist trap special.
A friend of ours had one he made into a floor lamp.Bought at an
"antique"shop years ago for about $25.

Bob Roller

[Acer Saccharum]

In my collection of junk, I have some pan and frizzen arrangements that you'd attach a back action lock to. Possibly to convert a percussion back action lock to a flint gun for the trade gun business.

[Levy]

I believe that I have most of two of these in my pile of old parts.  One is a one piece lock plate and the other is as Acer described and is two pieces.  Curly Gostomski sent me a large box of parts years ago and they were in it.  I vote for Belgium too.

James Levy

[T*O*F]

the other is as Acer described and is two pieces.

I used to have one of those and was curious what it fit.  After researching it, I found it was off a foreign military musket, but have forgotten which model and country.  I gave it away, so it went from short term memory into oblivion.

[frogwalking]

Could be a Belgian musket made for trade with Africa.  Here is a photo I have had for a while. 

I don't know if this is the same lock as my photo is not that  good. 

[mountainman70]

There was/is a very cobbed up version of this musket on GBR.Looks like a restock,I couldnt believe how ugly it was to my sidelock focused old eyes,but,beauty bein in the eyes o th Be holder,and all.Dave 

[Hungry Horse]

 The one piece back action flintlocks were Belgian musket locks originally, later they were made for the African trade. These later productions date clear into the early 20th century. the two piece locks of the same design were built mainly by Century Arms in Belgium for the replica market. Many of these replicas were not designed to be fired. But, a lot of them were fired, and an amazing number survived. A friend has a trade gun built with the two piece version of this lock that preforms pretty well.
 Dixie Gun Works marketed a big bore musket, in the sixties, and early seventies, that was called the elephant gun. It used the two piece version of this lock.

                        Hungry Horse

[Acer Saccharum]

Here ya go. You just park your back action lock up to this baby, and you got yourself a genuine flintlock.

[Captchee]

  i would agree with the others on what that lock is off of .
as to back action flint locks , you will find them on 18th century over and unders



 

[Bob Roller]

Looks like someone figured out the hard way to set up a lock.

Bob Roller