Need an Affordable Custom Lock (I know that is an oxymoron )

[Mark Elliott]

I was approached by a guy who has a southern mountain rifle with a Davis "Squirrel" percussion lock.   He would like to convert it to flint.   The problem is that the existing lock is 1 1/32" high by 4 7/16" long and the wood in the panel around the lock is thin.    I have been unable to find a commercially available lock (including the Chambers gunmakers lock)  that I think can be made to work.   Does anyone have a solution short of making a lock from scratch that will work in that space?    A scratch made lock would cost more than the rifle is worth.   

[Dennis Glazener]

How about the Davis Twigg?

[Mark Elliott]

Well,  the height is good, but I am not sure it can be cut back to 4 7/16" long.   

[David Rase]

The Davis Late Ketland flint is 4.8" long.  It is only 1.0" tall but a quick bead of weld, or a little judicious peening could take care of the height problem.
David

[Mark Elliott]

David,

I thought about that, but you would have to add a good bit of metal on the top back of the plate.   It is beyond my skill level, but could a professional welder add another 1/8" or more along the top of the plate toward the back?

[Don Stith]

Mark
 You might be able to shorten the Davis Contract Rifle lock to fit. Not sure about the pan location being right though.  If I remember right they have the same innards.

[davebozell]

If you can find someone with a laser welder, they can add metal 0.3 mm at a time.  If you know where you need metal added, I can probably get it done for you.  I have three associates who are skilled laser welders.

[Steve-In]

Could you take the pan, frizzen, feather spring and cock from another lock and fit it to the squirrel lock?  Have the pan Tig welded in place and dress it down until the cast in squirrel disappear.  Kind of like would be done re-converting to flint.  A lot of work and expensive I am sure.

[Dphariss]

I was approached by a guy who has a southern mountain rifle with a Davis "Squirrel" percussion lock.   He would like to convert it to flint.   The problem is that the existing lock is 1 1/32" high by 4 7/16" long and the wood in the panel around the lock is thin.    I have been unable to find a commercially available lock (including the Chambers gunmakers lock)  that I think can be made to work.   Does anyone have a solution short of making a lock from scratch that will work in that space?    A scratch made lock would cost more than the rifle is worth.

Copy some pages from the TOW catalog. Find a lock that will put the pan in the right place.
Make the flint plate fit the hole. OR put flint parts on the existing plate.
This is a REALLY big "home made" lock on a heavy chunk rifle.

[rich pierce]

I agree with Steve In.  Convert this lock to flint.

[Goose]

Some of the L&R replacement locks they make for production guns might be worth a look. Im not a fan of L&R anymore, but one may fit your needs.

[Mark Elliott]

Thanks for the responses.   I think if someone held a gun to my head,  I would go with converting the existing lock to flint.   The pan and cock from the Davis Late Ketland might work. However, given that this is a contemporary poor boy rifle,   I don't think it is financially reasonable to convert it to flint.   I am going to recommend that he sell the rifle and buy a flintlock that suites him.   There are plenty for sale and lots of people who would make him one for less than I would estimate it would cost to convert the current rifle to flint.   

[Gaeckle]

Mark, how about the gun makers lock that Jim Chambers has? You would need to shape the plate and then alter the pan and cock (or change out the cock with one more appropriate). Just a thought.

[Tim Crosby]

 Gust a thought but I would call Tim, 480-275-3220 and see if he has any ideas. I know they make the lock with a Brass plate and he sells plates and parts for all his locks.

  Tim