pistol locks

[The other DWS]

barely started on me new rifle and already thinking about the future,    a pistol.    had one I made 20 years ago that got stolen in a breaking  for that I used the TOTW Durs Egg lock.    I'm seeking opinions on the "best" currently available pistol locks for an 1800-1820 american dueling/target style pistol and does anyone make a small single set trigger for pistols?

[Dphariss]

barely started on me new rifle and already thinking about the future,    a pistol.    had one I made 20 years ago that got stolen in a breaking  for that I used the TOTW Durs Egg lock.    I'm seeking opinions on the "best" currently available pistol locks for an 1800-1820 american dueling/target style pistol and does anyone make a small single set trigger for pistols?

The best 1780-1830 pistol lock that is readily available is the L&R 1700 TOW calls it the Bailes.
It will probably require some modification as received but is a GOOD design and does not jar the pistol when fired.




Dan

[The other DWS]

I was looking at various on-line suppliers and had noted and bookmarked that one.  NICE pistols you posted Dan.  What "mods" did you fine were required?

 I have found, in my limited experience that many of the springs supplied with locks are overpowered for the need and a judicious balanced lightening of the main and frizzen spring will continue to give sufficient spark-ability without battering the frizzen, or the hammer shoulder and jarring the pistol or rifle

[smart dog]

Hi DWS,
What exactly is an "American style" dueling pistol?  I know of some American gunsmiths, like Simon North, who made English-style pistols in America but I've never heard of an American-style dueling pistol.  Blackley's in England has the best set of castings for dueling pistol locks.  Their Wogdon and Manton sets have the best styling.  The Bailes lock is too large and has that goofy curve to the bottom that makes ungainly looking pistols in my opinion.  Maybe you can modify it a bit to give it a smaller and better profile but it needs work.

dave

[smallpatch]

The Bailles is a great little lock.  it is smaller than the Manton, while much the same style.
In my opinion, it's the only L&R lock worth using.

I'm looking for a single sett trigger for a pistol as well.  Any ideas?

[Dphariss]

I was looking at various on-line suppliers and had noted and bookmarked that one.  NICE pistols you posted Dan.  What "mods" did you fine were required?

 I have found, in my limited experience that many of the springs supplied with locks are overpowered for the need and a judicious balanced lightening of the main and frizzen spring will continue to give sufficient spark-ability without battering the frizzen, or the hammer shoulder and jarring the pistol or rifle

Under powered springs. Springs cast from originals often lack the original arch and preload.
Late English locks will tolerate and may demand heavier springs than some more primitive Germanic locks will.
Many broken flints are the result of excessive frizzen rebound can be caused by a weak frizzen spring in some locks.

I rearched both main and frizzen springs on these two.
One had the tumbler hole drilled at an angle that required the hole be welded and redrilled using the bridle to guide the pilot hole.
The stop on the cock that contacts the lock plate stops the cock far too soon. So this needs to be filed to give a cock position as shown on the one in the photo.

Dan

[Dphariss]

The Bailles is a great little lock.  it is smaller than the Manton, while much the same style.
In my opinion, it's the only L&R lock worth using.

I'm looking for a single sett trigger for a pistol as well.  Any ideas?

Check the Davis site. They are producing or are about to produce a design I like a lot.
Its an old design and I have a shop made version in my swivel breech rifle and the same design, shrunk for the pistol, is in the 1/2 stock pistol above. I have another version in a pistol built by a friend.

Dan

[Bob Roller]

Tim Tressel of R.E.Davis showed me the pre production version of the single set trigger and if they are all like that one,I would recommend it to anyone.
I have made about 100 of the Bailes locks for a gunmaker in Germany over the years but mine were made from moulds that used an antique lock for the pattern and it is different from the L&R. I got the moulds from TOW in 1978 and still have them. The pistol copied was a Boutet that supposedly belonged to Napoleon and one was featured on the cover of DWJ(DeutschesWaffenJournal)in March of 1986.
I still buy external parts from L&R and make upgraded internals for the Bailes.Ashmore and Durs Egg. This upgrade runs the price up to $210 per lock.

Bob Roller