Opinions on the Hawken Shop Ketland locks?

[Justin Urbantas]

I came across the Ketland locks made by the Hawken Shop today.  Didn't even know they existed! They look like a nice English lock perfect for a late flint half-stock fowler. Any of you gents have experience with one?

[Bob Roller]

The mechanism is copied from one of mine made in the early 1980's and I have been using it
ever since the early 1970's.I made up one or maybe two of these for Art Resell when he had
the Hawken Shop on Lindberg Road in St.Ann,Mo.
No doubt these are cast parts now so I can't say how good they are but do know the ones I have
been making of this design are not troublesome.
Bob Roller

[Mtn Meek]

Justin,

That's Ron Long's flint Hawken lock design.  The Hawken Shop purchased the original Ron Long molds for that lock after they had passed through a couple other people.

It is basically the same as RE Davis's "Late English" Flintlock, though Davis had Ron Long make another set of molds for their lock, so the internal parts are not interchangeable.

And yes, all the parts are cast then machined like other commercial locks.

Here's one that I modified by welding and rounding the tail and changing out the original cock for a breasted cock to give it more of an 1820-30 look.

[okawbow]

I’ve used one on my 12 gauge half stock turkey gun, and another on a restock of an original .40cal. Tennessee rifle. The locks are really fast and have been very dependable sparklers with the right sized flint.

[smylee grouch]

I used the Davis model on my 62 flint rifle and have had good service with it. The jaws are a bit short, as in shallow and need a flat topped rock a little on the short side but I get quite a few shots per flint. Mine is very fast also.

[Justin Urbantas]

How would you guys rate the quality vs the Davis Ketland locks?