Building a lock from scratch

[Dennis Glazener]

Each hand made lock that I have built took longer than it took to build the gun itself.

That's the reason most of the gunbuilders bought their locks, especially the southern makers. Barrels of English locks coming in through Philadelphia. Made for less labor intensive rifles, more profit for the maker.
Dennis

[James Wilson Everett]

Guys,

Certainly 90% of the work in gunmaking is in the lock and barrel alone.  The gun is quite nearly complete before a piece of wood is obtained for the gunstock.

Jim

[Jim Kibler]

When building a lock or I'm sure forging a barrel, it's easy to understand why specialization developed.  Some tasks really benefit from this approach.  I'm sure we would be shocked at the efficiency developed from such a system.  All these concepts were true then and still are today.

[CHARLY]

 YEOW!
 Yancy von Yeast --!   words cannot describe that beauty! astounding ! just when I thought I had seen it all ---I sit in wonder ---where did you get the endless patience -?
now I am more than determined to get it right --even if I have bugger all to work with- in the backwoods-

 a very gracious /unselfish fella in POLAND -- has just sent me a PDF 
of  1776  German lock --with all dimensions ------astounding detail --
very similar to George  Laubers great work --
    This forum has given one--  FAR-more help-- than  ever expected ---so much overwhelming
help /advice/ inspiration/  and unbelievable skill of lock craftsmen worldwide - but esp in the USA --

  a beginner can only humbly accept all views /data --so much information is overwhelming at first-
 but now I know what a mountain a novice has to climb --quite daunting but not hopeless!

   the Polish lockmaker referred me to his ( genius) friend --who showed me some mindboggling
European  inlaid ivory in walnut carved wheel-locks  stocks--out of this world --phenomenal
work ---
--he read my grumbling  on this forum ---sent me exactly what  was required-
even if it is-  a mission to translate from the  German /Russian -text -its free !---supa dude !
regards  C
 er--- question --why the need for a BRIDAL ? what is its purpose ? weird ---is it just a cover /protection ?   

--

[CHARLY]

Two wrought iron railroad spikes will make a english or german  quality lock. Takes a forge, tools you make to make the tools to make the lock. large and small files and a good vice. You can do it ,if you have patience  and lots of it.

WELL --   thanku ---  NOW  I have a source of wrought iron -I think ?
the  Zambezi bridge /railway was opened between   N /S   Rhodesian  colonies in 1901

 I assume --- the railroad spikes there are wrought iron ?--
cannot remember when Bessemer first  converted  cast iron to steel --?-
worth a visit ----!  wheres my pick -axe!
 regards  C

[gunmaker]

The bridle supports the tumbler on both axis' so no wobble/play.  Smoother lock operation no twist....Tom

[Mark Elliott]

Carl,

I don't want to hear about any trains derailing in Southern Africa. 

[Bob Roller]

YEOW!
 Yancy von Yeast --!   words cannot describe that beauty! astounding ! just when I thought I had seen it all ---I sit in wonder ---where did you get the endless patience -?
now I am more than determined to get it right --even if I have bugger all to work with- in the backwoods-

 a very gracious /unselfish fella in POLAND -- has just sent me a PDF 
of  1776  German lock --with all dimensions ------astounding detail --
very similar to George  Laubers great work --
    This forum has given one--  FAR-more help-- than  ever expected ---so much overwhelming
help /advice/ inspiration/  and unbelievable skill of lock craftsmen worldwide - but esp in the USA --

  a beginner can only humbly accept all views /data --so much information is overwhelming at first-
 but now I know what a mountain a novice has to climb --quite daunting but not hopeless!

   the Polish lockmaker referred me to his ( genius) friend --who showed me some mindboggling
European  inlaid ivory in walnut carved wheel-locks  stocks--out of this world --phenomenal
work ---
--he read my grumbling  on this forum ---sent me exactly what  was required-
even if it is-  a mission to translate from the  German /Russian -text -its free !---supa dude !
regards  C
 er--- question --why the need for a BRIDAL ? what is its purpose ? weird ---is it just a cover /protection ?   

--

 The bridle stabilizes the tumbler.I read somewhere that the addition of this little piece set the
development of breech loaders back for a very long time.Precise fit of parts and RIGIDITY makes
for a very smooth lock.

Bob Roller