Coverting Chambers Mountain Style Percussion to a flint lock

[Dennis Glazener]

I have a rifle with a Chambers Mountain Style percussion lock on it, and I have not fired it in probably 15-16 years, just don't like percussion guns. Any chance any of you have ever changed one of these locks to a flint and if so what flintlock did you use.
I know, look at Track Catalog to see what comes close to fitting but thought maybe someone has done this and could tell me how it went.

The percussion drum threaded hole seems to be in the perfect place for a vent liner, probably would have to make a custom vent liner but that should not be a problem.
Dennis

[Dale Halterman]

Maybe use the one Jim sells with the oversized rectangular plate - I think he calls it the gunmaker's lock.

Dale H

[Keb]

I converted one years ago using parts from a small Siler flint kit.

[Dale Halterman]

Seems I misunderstood your intent. You want to convert the existing lock, not replace it, correct?

Maybe Jim could give you some insight.

Dale H

[rich pierce]

Use small Siler parts. Order the cock, frizzen, frizzen spring, and detachable pan assembly plus needed screws.

[Greg Pennell]

Dennis, this is just my opinion, but unless I was emotionally attached to the rifle, I think I’d sell it to a caplock shooter, and just build another. That avoids all the fiddling with changing ignition systems...unless you just want to fiddle...

Greg

[Hungry Horse]

 I think the mountain rifle lock Jim sells uses large Siler internals. So, Large Siler pan Frizzen, and spring, along with a large Siler cock. I would grind the pan, and frizzen to a more round shape, but its all doable.

  Hungry Horse

[little joe]

I have did a couple and used large siler parts on the mt. lock pan, and then as HH said.

[Dennis Glazener]

Maybe use the one Jim sells with the oversized rectangular plate - I think he calls it the gunmaker's lock.

Dale H

Lock plate might be ok to work with but it also has a Germatic shaped pan so too much work for me.
Dennis

[Dennis Glazener]

Seems I misunderstood your intent. You want to convert the existing lock, not replace it, correct?

Maybe Jim could give you some insight.

Dale H

No you were correct I want to replace thebpercusdion lock with a flint. But I don't want it to be a lot of work, more like opening the lock mortise for new lock and making a touch hole liner to fit the drum hole.
Dennis

[Dennis Glazener]

Dennis, this is just my opinion, but unless I was emotionally attached to the rifle, I think I’d sell it to a caplock shooter, and just build another. That avoids all the fiddling with changing ignition systems...unless you just want to fiddle...

Greg

Greg I suspect that is what I will do unless I can find a lock that's pretty close to a drop in.
Thanks
Dennis

[Dennis Glazener]

I think the mountain rifle lock Jim sells uses large Siler internals. So, Large Siler pan Frizzen, and spring, along with a large Siler cock. I would grind the pan, and frizzen to a more round shape, but its all doable.

  Hungry Horse

Good info to know. I think I I have the parts on an old lock plate, will fiddle with it and see how it goes.
Dennis

[Dale Halterman]

I believe that HH is correct in that the mountain lock uses the same internals as the large Siler. However, in looking at the full size pictures in my old TOW catalog, it appears that the flint cock is a bit longer that the percussion hammer on the mountain lock. That is why, I suspect, that Keb and Rich suggested using parts from a small Siler.

But that doesn't solve you objection to the shape of the pan.

Maybe parts from a late Ketland? Another option is buying an English style pan intended for the small Siler lock. I don't remember who made them, but I bought one a few years ago, either at Dixon's or at the Baltimore gun show.

Dale H

[flinchrocket]

Go to Bama's ( Jim Parkers ) website ,in the antiques section, and look at the pan on that original Clarlie Bean rifle. https://www.parkerfirearms.com/portfolio/charlie-bean-rifle-2/#

[Dennis Glazener]

Go to Bama's ( Jim Parkers ) website ,in the antiques section, and look at the pan on that original Clarlie Bean rifle. https://www.parkerfirearms.com/portfolio/charlie-bean-rifle-2/#

Yep every once in a Blue Moon you will see a southern mountain rifle with a Germanic style pan, also note the date on that rifle.
Dennis

[Hungry Horse]

Hey Dennis, If you decide to do the conversation yourself the easiest way to knock all the corners off of a Siler pan, and frizzen, is to soft solder them together. Then you can go after the majority of the rough work with the power tool of your choice. I use a strip sander, and a Dremel, for the rough work. It’s pretty easy at this time to make the pan semi-waterproof while your at it. When you get it how you want it just heat it up and separate it. Good Luck.

   Hungry Horse

[mountainman70]

Sounds like a way to get a good round tail flintlock to me. I have often looked at this very lock with these ideas. Thanks to all you guys. Dave F

[Dennis Glazener]

Hey Dennis, If you decide to do the conversation yourself the easiest way to knock all the corners off of a Siler pan, and frizzen, is to soft solder them together. Then you can go after the majority of the rough work with the power tool of your choice. I use a strip sander, and a Dremel, for the rough work. It’s pretty easy at this time to make the pan semi-waterproof while your at it. When you get it how you want it just heat it up and separate it. Good Luck.

   Hungry Horse

Thanks for the tip. Had about decided to leave it percussion but measured the barrel diameter. Thought it was a 7/8" but it must have been a 13/16" and now the diameter across the flats just in front of the drum is only .807" not enough well for a drum and nipple in my opinion so will plan on converting to flint.
Dennis

[flinchrocket]

Go to Bama's ( Jim Parkers ) website ,in the antiques section, and look at the pan on that original Clarlie Bean rifle. https://www.parkerfirearms.com/portfolio/charlie-bean-rifle-2/#

Yep every once in a Blue Moon you will see a southern mountain rifle with a Germanic style pan, also note the date on that rifle.
Dennis

I suppose there is the possibility it is reconverted. Some were that were never flint to begin with.
In your case it might be easier to glue in some wood and use a late Ketland or similar lock.

[Notchy Bob]

Yep every once in a Blue Moon you will see a southern mountain rifle with a Germanic style pan, also note the date on that rifle.
Dennis

Here is a rifle from Virginia, dated 1795-1800:



...and a closer look at the lock with a faceted pan:



The rifle is in the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA).  Here is a link to the page with more detail on the rifle:  Wythe or Pulaski County Virginia Rifle

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

[Dennis Glazener]

Yep every once in a Blue Moon you will see a southern mountain rifle with a Germanic style pan, also note the date on that rifle.
Dennis

Here is a rifle from Virginia, dated 1795-1800:



...and a closer look at the lock with a faceted pan:



The rifle is in the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA).  Here is a link to the page with more detail on the rifle:  Wythe or Pulaski County Virginia Rifle

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

Yes I saw that rifle several years ago. Forgot about the faceted pan. There are one or two more early  VA rifles with faceted pans. I am not sure they are Germanic locks or locally made locks. Maybe one of our lock experts could tell us more about them.
Dennis

[Hungry Horse]

 Since we know Jim, and Barbie, check in here pretty regularly, maybe they will consider making a pan, frizzen, and cock assembly designed to convert the mountain lock to flint. I know they have a lot on their plates right now, but maybe in the future. I’ve heard quite a few builders lament that they wish they would build a mountain lock in flint, me among them.

  Hungry Horse

[louieparker]

Notchy Bob..I would bet that lock is a conversion....LP

[Dennis Glazener]

Since we know Jim, and Barbie, check in here pretty regularly, maybe they will consider making a pan, frizzen, and cock assembly designed to convert the mountain lock to flint. I know they have a lot on their plates right now, but maybe in the future. I’ve heard quite a few builders lament that they wish they would build a mountain lock in flint, me among them.

  Hungry Horse

Just stand by.
Dennis