For years some guys have complained about the standard Siler lock throwing sparks forward of the pan and have made various "adjustments" to correct the perceived problem. But, when slow motion photography came along and showed a standard Siler lock in slow motion it showed the lock actually "sprayed" a shower of sparks all the way across the pan. In real time all everyone was seeing was the end of that spraying process with sparks at the front of the pan.
Been working on flintlocks for over 50 years. This one was a PITA. This is the first Siler of any size that I have had problems with. As a side note I just hardened a pair of L&R frizzens that are some years old now, that would not oil harden. Had to use water which I hate. They seem to spark OK. But have not shot the rifle much note even sighted in. I would also point out that I don’t know who assembled this lock, itwas a group buy by a guild member and it took about a year to show up. All the locks I have gotten direct from you have been everything I could ask for. So far as the slo-mo stuff. That’s great. But if the lock is routinely slow to light the pan off then the pictures don’t mean much and the guys I shoot with, some experienced builders have been commenting on it. If the wind drops to something that allows it I will get out and shoot the pistol some more.
Before:
After:
Here are a couple of other small Silers I have owned over the the years.
For comparison the highly engraved lock is on on Don King Rifle I once owned and shot a lot. The other is on my son’s pistol. The rifle lock is from the 1970s I think and I am sure Don built it from a kit. The other is from 1999-2001 (?). They are the same but different slightly in places like the frizzen foot. I expect Don reworked the frizzen spring.
I just used up some flint strikes on 4 rifles and 2 pistols. The Manton lock from TRS castings is the best. The Dale Johnson Siler and the rifle with the L&R frizzens is next with the Siler being a little better. The other Swivel with the large Siler frizzens from the 1990s is right in there too but needs a better flint. Then the small Siler pistols. Neither is as good as the others but with a good flint they are respectable and exceptional in individual strikes but less consistent than the others. Though the jury really is out on the rifle with the L&R frizzens. Yeah I went down to the furnace room where it was pretty dark. I did put a thinner leather in the hopefully fixed “problem” S Siler and a slightly thinner flint seems to work better too. As stated I have had several small silers over the years and this is the only one that gave me reason to gripe. It was an assembled lock with no markings anywhere.
AND PLEASE.
Do not see that as some blanket condemnation of Jim Chambers locks. Of all the locks I have bought I buy Chambers locks with confidence. I think they are better done than the vast majority of locks on the market and second to none and are good to go right out of the box. This small Siler is the only one I have had issues with.
I have gotten in locks from other makers that were really just kits. I literally had to weld the tumbler hole shut and redrill and ream on one since the hole was drilled at an angle and the tumbler thus angled so that the sear would not properly engage the notches.
