Chambers early germanic lock vs. Dale johnson

[Medic980]

I am currently gathering parts for an early transitional rifle build with heavy german influence. I am trying to decide which lock to buy and I am stuck between the chambers early germanic lock or the chambers dale johnson. Has anyone had experience with both of these and what are your thoughts on them? I know its a very subjective question but would like to get others opinions. Does kne spark better than the other, is one more reliable that the other, is one harder on flints, etc?

Thanks y'all,
Trevor

[Mike Brooks]

I like the performance of the DJ better. Although the Germanic works well too.

[Medic980]

Thanks Mike I was kind of leaning that direction. Input from someone with your experience and knowledge carries a lot of weight with me.

[flehto]

My last early  Lancaster has a Dale Johnson....fits in really well w/ the lock area and wrist. The slightly lower "tail" of the lock is responsible for this....Fred

[smart dog]

Hi Trevor,
The DJ is a little smaller, which gives you a bit more flexibility in design.  I believe both locks use the same Siler internals so not much difference there.   Chris Laubach's Germanic lock would be the icing on the cake.  However, let me diverge a little.  It seems there is this common idea that "transitional" rifles had Jaeger locks with curved lock plates.  The most famous "transitional" American long rifle is the Edward Marshall gun.  It does not have a curved lock.  In fact, that curved plate locks you into a limited set of designs. Here is my close copy of the Edward Marshall rifle with an image of the original gun above.
 




The lock does not have much curve.  M&G's Albrecht lock comes closest to the lock on the Edward Marshall rifle albeit it does not have a pan bridle and needs work to bring it up to the same class as either Chambers lock.

dave

[Medic980]

My last early  Lancaster has a Dale Johnson....fits in really well w/ the lock area and wrist. The slightly lower "tail" of the lock is responsible for this....Fred

Fred that lock transitions to the wrist very well, right dead center of the wrist. Nice job on your rifle.

[Medic980]

Hi Trevor,
The DJ is a little smaller, which gives you a bit more flexibility in design.  I believe both locks use the same Siler internals so not much difference there.   Chris Laubach's Germanic lock would be the icing on the cake.  However, let me diverge a little.  It seems there is this common idea that "transitional" rifles had Jaeger locks with curved lock plates.  The most famous "transitional" American long rifle is the Edward Marshall gun.  It does not have a curved lock.  In fact, that curved plate locks you into a limited set of designs. Here is my close copy of the Edward Marshall rifle with an image of the original gun above.
 




The lock does not have much curve.  M&G's Albrecht lock comes closest to the lock on the Edward Marshall rifle albeit it does not have a pan bridle and needs work to bring it up to the same class as either Chambers lock.

dave

Dave I am definitely not a fan of the big curved banana locks.. i like the small curve of the dale johnson, its just enough curve to flow nicely to the wrist. The early germanic has a little more curve than the dale johnson but its still not as bad as some other makers.