Small Siler Q

[Top Jaw]

Does anyone remember if the small Siler was designed by Bud Siler, or was it a Chambers designed lock?  Have any improvements been made to it down through the years? 

Came across an older one at an auction and a friend put it in a gun.  Seems like a fine lock.  Was just curious if the current version has ever been tweaked or improved on along the way - as the larger Siler has?

[Chris Evrard]

The small Siler is one of the locks I built for Chambers for many years. The only change I know of is the substitution of the Chambers Golden Age tumbler for the original small Siler tumbler. Although kit locks do still come with the small Siler tumbler. Locks assembled by and bought from Chambers will have the Golden Age tumbler.

Dunno, who designed the original but I would imagine Bud Siler. Don't quote me on that though.

Best,

Chris E.

PS. should have mentioned that the small Siler tumbler will have an "S" imprinted on the casting assuming no one has removed it. Best...

[J. Talbert]

The small Siler lock has been around since before Jim took over Siler locks.
I believe Chris is right that Jim tweaked the tumbler, but the design itself was from Bud Siler.
Jim can surely confirm or correct this info.

Jeff

[flehto]

My 2nd LR had an early small Siler and the frizzen at half cock didn't allow a long enough flint and  after some flint wear, the frizzen wouldn't toggle over. I ground a "hump" in the frizzen spring at the toggle over point and it worked fine after that. I take it that this problem was sliminated......Fred

[Jim Chambers]

Yes to all the above.  The small lock was designed by Bud Siler.  The only change I have made to it is to use our golden age tumbler in the lock we assemble in house.  This takes care of the problem with a normal flint being too long to allow the frizzen to close all the way.