Cochran Lock size

[Larry Pletcher]

I may be able to time a LH Cochran lock as well as a LH large Siler at friendship this year.  The fixture is set up for RH, and will need adjustments.  I'll use my RH Siler to allow for the distance from the lock retaining screw to the sear bar.  I think the Cochran is smaller, perhaps smaller than a small Siler. The location of the solenoid is adjusted to account for the difference in size, so knowing the relative size of the Cochran would help.   I'd be glad for any information.  The important measurement is from the sear to retaining screw. 
Thanks.

Regards,
Pletch

[Dave B]

Larry,
 I have a RH Cocran flintlock on my hunting gun. When you say distance to the retaining screw, are you talking about the sear bar to the sear screw? My lock was a kit I built many years ago and I am sure that its as close to original as you can get. The distance from the center of the sear bar to the pivot screw is  . 675 according to my measurment.

[Larry Pletcher]

Larry,
 I have a RH Cocran flintlock on my hunting gun. When you say distance to the retaining screw, are you talking about the sear bar to the sear screw? My lock was a kit I built many years ago and I am sure that its as close to original as you can get. The distance from the center of the sear bar to the pivot screw is  . 675 according to my measurment.

Dave,
I 'm glad to find someone with a Cochran lock.  I think I didn't describe well what I need to know.  I hold the lock in the fixture by using the  gun's lock/stock retaining screw.  If the lock is held in the stock by two retaining screws, I am only interested in the center one - the one that goes through the stock and threads into the lock plate just back of the pan.   It's the distance from the sear bar to the screw that holds the lock to the stock that allows me to fit the fixture to larger or smaller locks.  I would expect this distance to be around an inch  - perhaps a little more.   On a couple of large Silers the sear to lock/stock retaining screw varies from 1.2 - 1.4 inches, depending on the gun maker.

This will be my first chance to time a Cochran lock whether right or left hand.  Thank you for your help. 

Regards,
Pletch

[Dave B]

I took the distance from the lock bolt hole to the sear bar and get 1.625 but its right on the edge of the bolster. If I was to drill that hole over I would bump it out to at least 1.75 to keep the hole with in the confines of the bolster.

[T*O*F]

I 'm glad to find someone with a Cochran lock.

Pletch,
I've got a matched pair of Cochran percussion locks, R and L, that have never been mounted on a gun.  I think you'll be gone by the time I get to Friendship, but they are available if you want to test them.

[Larry Pletcher]

I took the distance from the lock bolt hole to the sear bar and get 1.625 but its right on the edge of the bolster. If I was to drill that hole over I would bump it out to at least 1.75 to keep the hole with in the confines of the bolster.

Dave,
Thanks again for your help on this.  As I worked on the fixture this afternoon, I decided to allow plenty of adjustment,  so I'm set up now to handle RH or LH flintlock in about any size someone might have. 

TOF,
I appreciate the offer of the Cochran percussions, but the only percussion locks I can handle are ones that would fit a small Siler lock mortice.  I hope to see you down there.  You aim to be camped about the same place? I'll find you.

Regards,
Pletch

[T*O*F]

You aim to be camped about the same place? I'll find you.

We aren't arriving until Weds. afternoon and leaving Sun.  I suppose everyone will be gone by then.  Art is camping in the same vicinity, but I'm going to be staying in a motel this year.....back problems.  Not shooting LR for the same reason but will bring something in case we shoot the woodswalk.