Small locks

[andy49]

Does anyone know where to buy smaller pistol (flint) locks?
I would like to build a flintlock Derringer and other smaller size pistols but I can’t find any locks smaller than 4.25” (American made). I am currently building a dueling pistol with a L & R Manton lock and it still looks big for a 10” barrel.
Andy

[Kermit]

Sounds like you're using the Becky Lock that Pete Allan designed. Short of making your own, it's the smallest flintlock I know of. Maybe others can give you hope.

[smart dog]

Hi Andy,
Welcome to the problem.  A dueling pistol with L&R's Manton lock will not look right at all.  None of the commercially made locks work for dueling pistols if you care about historically correct appearances.  Unless you make your own from scratch, you have to consider E. J. Blackley's or Peter Dyson in England.  They sell castings that you build into a lock.  Don't let anyone tell you that L&R's Bailes lock works.  It is too big and the curved profile really sucks when you are actually trying to build a dueling pistol that looks halfway correct.

dave 

[Bob Roller]

Speaking from long experience,these tiny locks are a booger to make and
some of the cast internal parts are worse than junk and a waste of time to try
to make a lock with.I made one of these little locks years ago,about 1982 I
think and got $250 for the job then.Also my opinion of these castings from the
Foggy Isles isn''t very high either.

Bob Roller

[smart dog]

Bob,
You are entirely correct.  I've built several pistol locks from castings by Blackley.  The castings are very good but the small internal parts are a nightmare because, cast from original locks in their finished state, they have no extra metal left anywhere.  Just cleaning them up can ruin them.  Now I buy the frizzens, plates, and flintcocks and then make all the internals from scratch.  That works the best for me.   

dave

[andy49]

Thanks guys for the replies. I was afraid this might be the situation.
I was thinking that I could buy the internals and make shorter frizzen and main springs to get at least a 4” lock without building everything from scratch.
Andy

[Bob Roller]

 Looking at these lock plates with all the holes indented,it would be
a bigger booger than ever to make a lock from them.

Bob Roller

[Dale Halterman]

A few years ago I bought a casting set for a small pistol lock from Reaves Goering at the Baltimore show. Don't think he is making them anymore, but you might call him and see if he has any lying around.

Haven't tried building the lock yet, it looks like a little bugger to do and I have other things to finish first.

Dale H