Brass lock plate?

[Turtle]

  I think they look really cool, but is there any practical advantage to them?
                                                Thanks,Turtle

[Mark Elliott]

They aren't brass, they are bronze (or gun metal (a brass like alloy used for canon) in the case of the original plates).   Bronze is very hard and wears quite well.   

[bob in the woods]

I find that my bronze plate locks are extremely smooth in operation. Since bronze is used as a bearing material, it may have something to do with it.  I have a Chamber's Siler [ bronze plate] that has been fired at least 5000 + times and it still functions flawlessly.

[Kermit]

What Mark and Bob said. I have two, and in practice, I can't say I can tell much difference--other than the cool factor and that they don't rust. 

[wattlebuster]

I will second the cool looks part

[Bob Roller]

They aren't brass, they are bronze (or gun metal (a brass like alloy used for canon) in the case of the original plates).   Bronze is very hard and wears quite well.   

Mark is right. I have made many,many bearing grade 660 bronze bushings for obsolete
automatic transmissions and had no come back or complaints. Using carbide tools it takes a
beautiful finish when making a bushing. I made a complete set for my own Packard and the tighter
dimensions made a noticeable difference in the direct drive clutch lock up.

Bob Roller

[Marcruger]

Packard?  We need photos!   

[Bob Roller]

Packard?  We need photos!   

The Packard was a 1951 series 200,an entry level car found in the garage of the original owner where she stored it for 22 years. I bought it,did a valve job on it and got it running. The Ultramatic drive was rebuilt in 1965 by a shop that should never have had the car. I pulled it out,did it right and drove it until 1992 and then sold it to a collector friend. I think it's now in Youngstown,Ohio. I also rebuilt the brakes with all new parts using an interchange book for wheel cylinders and brake shoes. Vacuum windshield wipers were redone to such an extent as could be done. Bad idea from the outset.Starter and generator also rebuilt as a precaution.
I traded a 1968 Lincoln Continental 4 door sedan for a repaint and after that I simply used it as an every day driver.I have some photos but don't know where they are.

Bob Roller

[JCurtiss]

Packard?  We need photos!   

Indeed, photos would be wonderful!

[grabenkater]

Few years ago, the BBC had Britians foremost expert on Bronze Age weapon manufacturing create a replica of a sword found England. They then had an expert in early Iron Age weaponry forge an early Iron sword. The two were tested and even used against each other. Surprising to some, the Bronze Age blade cut large nicks in the iron blade.

[James Wilson Everett]

Guys,

Here are a couple of hand-made gunlocks with brass plates.  Actually, brass is a little bit more difficult to make the plate than is wrought iron.

Jim