Lock Identification

[Chris Treichel]

Hello gents,

I would appreaciate any help you might have in identifying these locks.
This would be my first post here.  I have been reenacting for a few years and a while ago got into building my own muzzleloaders.  So far I have built a Track fusil kit and most recently finished a .54 Lancaster 1770 ish rifle.

Anyways... recently came into posession of a few locks that are more towards the later flintlock period and these two have me stumped.  I am pretty sure that I would like to use the Blount Co marked lock in a Ohio Rifle style project.  The other one... might end up getting traded or who knows what.

here is some additional info.
Top lock odd looking with a very short/tight frizzen spring with roller. Frizen is also a bit unusual where it engages the roller... very block shaped.  On the back again springs are layed out kind of tight and has an unusual shape to the bridle. No fly on the tumbler.

Bottom lock.  I actually really like this one as it is very fast and probably made for a pistol.  It has a whale back to the frizzen spring and a roller on the bottom of the frizzen where it engages the spring.  Marked "Blount CO." Other than perhaps a reference to Tennessee I can't make heads or tails of it.  Fly on inside of the tumbler against the lock plate, very smart design I like this.

It has been suggested that the Blount Co. marked lock may be from Dixie and I was thinking of building an Ohio Rifle arround it. Managed to pick up some origional brass/triggers at the Log Cabin Shop. 

[b bogart]

The Blount County lock IS a Dixie Gun Works lock. I've got 2. One on a pistol and one unmounted. Mine do not spark very well. On my list of things to improve. 

[Chris Treichel]

Thank you about the Blount Co lock. 

I am starting to think that the other lock is handmade maybe in India. Something about the quality of work is just different.  Funny thing is that lock works pretty well.

[Eric Laird]

The top lock looks like the old Belgian made lock that Dixie used to import and sell. This one almost looks like it has had a bit of a tail added on to it. If I remember correctly, over the years they sold two different versions - one had a square back end and the other was rounded. Both used virtually the same internals. I used one of these for the basis of a simple NC squirrel rifle with a .30 cal Ed Rayl barrel.  With a bit of elbow grease these can be tuned and reshaped into a unique and decent lock.
Eric

[b bogart]

I'd like to know the best way to eliminate that Blount County on my lock plarte. I can think of several ideas but I'd rather hear from omeone that knows what should be done. I consider it a decent looking and functioning lock aside from the lack O' sparks

[Howard]

You can weld it up or mill it out & fill it in with a brass our silver for decoration or put your name on it instead.

[Chris Treichel]

Elaird, thank you... I will have to look into that Belgian connection. I was actually thinking about carving out the bottom a bit so its more banana shaped and replacing the frizzen spring with a longer more open one.

great point on getting rid of the "Blount Co" I have a friend with a welding machine... don't know if we could be that detailed and worth the trouble... I don't think its that heinous.