Author Topic: Davis Colonial American Flintlock question  (Read 5953 times)

Offline deano

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 163
Davis Colonial American Flintlock question
« on: January 21, 2013, 04:58:05 PM »
Anyone have experience with the Davis Colonial American Flintlock? This lock is the correct style for my next  build and I'd like to see if anyone has had experience with using it long term? According to the web site Jack Brooks designed the lock so the design started out right...so I guess the big question is are they assembled well.

Thanks,

Ken

Offline little joe

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 685
Re: Davis Colonial American Flintlock question
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2013, 08:13:10 PM »
I have used a couple because of the way the exterior is designed. These 2 were well assembled however they were hard on flints. Good shooting

Offline Acer Saccharum

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19311
    • Thomas  A Curran
Re: Davis Colonial American Flintlock question
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2013, 08:16:13 PM »
I used one on this build, and found the lock to be scary powerful. http://flintrifles.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/tc-b-020.jpg

I curved the frizzen more toward the cock, as I thought it would give me a longer scrape path, with less of the flint 'smacking' the frizzen open.

It is well put together, built like a truck.

Tom
« Last Edit: January 21, 2013, 08:16:40 PM by Acer Saccharum »
Tom Curran's web site : http://monstermachineshop.net
Ramrod scrapers are all sold out.

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

  • Member 3
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12671
Re: Davis Colonial American Flintlock question
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2013, 09:14:17 PM »
That is such a cool rifle Tom.
D. Taylor Sapergia
www.sapergia.blogspot.com

Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline Acer Saccharum

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19311
    • Thomas  A Curran
Re: Davis Colonial American Flintlock question
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2013, 10:14:44 PM »
I must add that this lock has been very reliable. I casehardened the whole plate, cock, frizzen, and it is FAST. It's not for wimps. It's a beartrap of a lock. Great for an early gun, amply proportioned, buxom type.

The Davis quality has been getting better and better. It's such a treat to have good locks to choose from. (showing my age)
Tom Curran's web site : http://monstermachineshop.net
Ramrod scrapers are all sold out.

Offline Don Getz

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6853
Re: Davis Colonial American Flintlock question
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2013, 12:45:36 AM »
Tom......neat rifle, I like what you did, or didn't do with the checking in the stock.  I built a similar gun using one of these
locks, a lot of lock, as you said.   My gun was a "Christian's Spring" barn gun.    I will also have another similar gun which
had a big check in the butt.....will show you how John and I solved that problem.   Just ask me about the "staple gun"
....ha.............Don

Offline Mike Brooks

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13415
    • Mike Brooks Gunmaker
Re: Davis Colonial American Flintlock question
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2013, 01:11:06 AM »
I have used alot of them, excellent locks.
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline deano

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 163
Re: Davis Colonial American Flintlock question
« Reply #7 on: January 22, 2013, 05:09:32 AM »
Thanks everyone great information, it sounds like a real winner.

Ken

Offline Jim Kibler

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4473
    • Personal Website
Re: Davis Colonial American Flintlock question
« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2013, 05:22:11 AM »
You might want to do a search of the archives.  I believe this was discussed in the past.  If I remember correctly there were a some concerns expressed by a few.
« Last Edit: January 22, 2013, 05:23:10 AM by Jim Kibler »

Offline Acer Saccharum

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19311
    • Thomas  A Curran
Re: Davis Colonial American Flintlock question
« Reply #9 on: January 22, 2013, 05:31:13 AM »
Lock likes bevel up flints.

Issue: I was having trouble with the frizzen bouncing back and crushing flints until I discovered the best strike zone.
Tom Curran's web site : http://monstermachineshop.net
Ramrod scrapers are all sold out.

Offline deano

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 163
Re: Davis Colonial American Flintlock question
« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2013, 03:50:36 PM »
Going into an early gun with a full 2" butt that needs a manly lock...

Offline Pete G.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2013
Re: Davis Colonial American Flintlock question
« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2013, 01:23:15 AM »
Lock likes bevel up flints.

Issue: I was having trouble with the frizzen bouncing back and crushing flints until I discovered the best strike zone.

....and how was this determined and addressed?

Offline Mark Elliott

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5191
    • Mark Elliott  Artist & Craftsman
Re: Davis Colonial American Flintlock question
« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2013, 04:19:34 AM »
Tom,    I love that photo.  Who took it?


Offline volatpluvia

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 456
  • Doing mission work in sunny south, Mexico
Re: Davis Colonial American Flintlock question
« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2013, 05:33:21 AM »
Wow, Tom!
That is a manly looking rifle.  The wrist and butt look like it could stand up to an elephant load.
volatpluvia
I believe, therefore I speak.  Apostle Paul.

Offline Acer Saccharum

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 19311
    • Thomas  A Curran
Re: Davis Colonial American Flintlock question
« Reply #14 on: January 24, 2013, 06:11:07 AM »
Lock likes bevel up flints.

Issue: I was having trouble with the frizzen bouncing back and crushing flints until I discovered the best strike zone.

....and how was this determined and addressed?

Pete, I tried reshaping the frizzen spring to provide more resistance, which didn't help much. I also curved up the toe of the friz spring to hold the frizzen open. Which didn't help. I found that the flint hitting the frizzen lower down kept it from bouncing back.

The mainspring is a killer, but I didn't try reducing its strength as it's a cast spring, and I don't trust my heat treating on such a thing.


Mark, the photo was taken by the honorable and talented Jim Filipski. http://flintrifles.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/tc-b-016.jpg
« Last Edit: January 24, 2013, 06:19:13 AM by Acer Saccharum »
Tom Curran's web site : http://monstermachineshop.net
Ramrod scrapers are all sold out.