Brass barrel rifle lock

[bp]

Do any of you know the accurate dimensions of the lock plate from the brass barrel rifle- RCA 103?
I am coming up with a wee bit over 5.5 inches long working from photos but wanted to double check.
Thanks

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Last year that rifle was on display at the Harrisonburg VA show.  That show is coming up in February and it may be there again.  You can get all sorts of measurements there.

Coryjoe

[bp]

Thanks Coryjoe,
Unfortunately, but I am over 1000 miles or so from Harrisburg and with work won't be able to make the show. 
I was hoping someone had an accurate measurement or a photo that had a fixed distance to scale from.
Working on a question about on that style lock and similar.

[Acer Saccharum]

Sorry, I can't help you; I don't have any info on the sizing of that lock.

You may have to proportion it out. What looks right to your eye is right, in my experience. But if you're looking to make a bench copy without the original, you may have better results if you make an 'inspired by' gun. That's my approach, anyway. I seldom have an original I can copy(or want to!)right on my bench, so I make the best of it with what little info I can conjure up.

I don't need much of an excuse to build a longrifle. 

[G-Man]

I have handled the gun a number of times but don't know the exact dimensions - however, I will say that is a little bigger than a large Siler and Smaller than 6 inches so your 5.5 inch guess seems pretty good.

RE Davis has a Colonial/import "Continental" lock that is very close in appearance to it and is in the right size range.

If I recall correctly, I think one of the CS guns has a very similar lock, doesn't it?  Maybe one of you guys familiar with those guns has dimensions?

The BBR is a very light handling gun - it looks more massive in the photos than it really is - it has very sturdy proportions but is really much more compact in appearance when you pick it up.

Guy

[heinz]

The lock dimensions are posted on Gary Brumfield's web side.  Gary also has the barrel dimensions.  www.flintriflesmith.com.
I used a Coninental lock from R E Davis on my BBR inspired rifle.  It was about the right size.  If you are not after an exact copy I would use a Chambers colonial or English lock.  The barrel would support the big lock well and they seem to me to be a better lock than the Davis You can take a look at mine if you search here

[bp]

Thanks all.
Although the BBR rifle is interesting it is the lock, not the rifle, I am curious about. 
The Edward Marshall lock plate and internals are similar and engraving is close it is close to 5 3/8 inches if my notes and publications are correct.  The Chambers early Germanic has a similar plate design but is larger. 

Most of these on American guns seem to be from a short time period and limited geography.
I am trying to determine the size range and true proportions of this style (have not tried the golden mean but it might work for pan placement ).  Have measurements from a similar lock on a pistol at 5 3/8 in length.  The pistol had the English version of Number (no.) on side plate and continental furniture.

Have looked at the excellent photos on flint riflesmith's site.  I did not see dimensions listed but might have missed them.
From what I can tell is the locks vary in pan style and if bridled, edge bevel and if the nose of the plate is notched which might all be finishing work differences. 

I might be completely off base too!

[heinz]

The dimensions of the lock are 5.5 inches by 1 inch.  I apologize for the mis-information about Gary's website.  I had the notes on the dimensions in my build notes and I thought they were on the web but they came  from Gary via Guy Montfort when we were searching for parts.  The lock is sort of fat in the width and the Davis lock was a fair fit to the dimensions.  As Gary does note on the website, the hammer is a replacement on the original so I think the style on the Davis is fair although there is not as much bevel at the sides and the Davis has the step down panel at the back of the lock and a pan bridle. 
You could go with Jim Chambers gunsmith Siler with the big square plate and saw out what you want, and saw off the bridle while you are at it.

[bp]

Thanks.  This should get me started.