Copy of Hawken lock

[eddillon]

Back in the mid 70s, I built a Hawken in .54 on a Douglas XX Supreme with a lock that was a fantastic copy of this lock shown on a full stock in John D. Baird's "Hawken Rifles" on page 25.  Does anyone know who made these copies and if they are still available.  It was a very well made and reliable lock with a hallf-cock fly.  Ready to make another and would like to use one of them.

[FALout]

A pic of the internals would be most helpful.

[eddillon]

   Sold the rifle years ago.  Would love to have it back..  Made the stock from a beam out of a 150 year old Vermont barn.  If I remember correctly, it had stirrup type connector between mainspring and tumbler.

[T*O*F]

Ed,
I think I have 3 of them, one with the engraving and two without.  Can't remember if they are kits or complete.  Will check later.

[Bob Roller]

That lock is one of mine. I made several in that time frame like that. The hammer and plate dies were made from an original J&S and I think a Texan by the name of William Morgan was the man behind that idea.



Bob Roller

[eddillon]

I bought it from the "Mountain Man", Luke Swovland in Manitou Springs, CO in 1975.  rewally a great lock.  Couldn't tell the engraving from the original!!  Wish I still had the rifle.  A true tack driver.

[Dphariss]

TOW used to sell a similar lock plate shape years back.
I bought one and ended up changing it to this anyway. Kept the hammer though.


Dan

[Mtn Meek]

That lock is one of mine. I made several in that time frame like that. The hammer and plate dies were made from an original J&S and I think a Texan by the name of William Morgan was the man behind that idea.

Bob Roller

Fascinating to learn that you were the maker of that lock, Mr. Roller.  I knew that William Morgan was the marketer of these locks back in the 70's and 80's, but didn't know you had made them.  No wonder they were so good.

I have a couple of GRRW Hawkens with the Morgan lock.  Here is a picture of one.



These locks were also sold as kits.

I have a similar lock that was made by H. W. Robbins.

The Griffith Tool Co also made a lock in the same style, but it didn't have the engraving.  The Griffith lock is currently available from Dayton Traister.

For those interested, here is another picture of the original Hawken rifle that once was in the Orville Dunham collection

[FALout]

I've got a Robbins lock waiting for build, have all the parts, just on the back burner for now.  Really well made lock.

[Bob Roller]

I used only the plates and hammers for this lock. I wasn't aware any kits based on it were available. My locks all have benchcrafted mechanisms and forged springs and are marked with my last name in a semi circle with a date inside the name. Those plates and hammers are still made and Jerry Devaudreuil in Wooster Ohio now owns the dies. I have one of the hammers on order now. Once I find out about the BPH condition that has been a plague to me,I might make up some more of these. A CT scan is scheduled for the 23rd. At this time,I feel fine but this Urologist who is also an Oncologist wants to see if anything is lurking and I appreciate his thoroughness.
If the scan shows no problems,I plan to make some more locks and f it shows a problem,that will be priority one and shop work will be stopped.
Is Harold Robbins still making locks? Years ago at Friendshop,I wanted him to display his locks with mine but he declined the offer.He did a good job on them.



Bob Roller

[Ben I. Voss]

Bob, I wish you the best and hope that the doc's can fix you up! If all goes well and you want to make any of these locks, you can put me on the list for one or two of them.    Best wishes, Ben Voss

 

[Bob Roller]

Ben Voss,
Contact me at <wvgzr@webtv.net> with your contact info.

Bob Roller

[eddillon]

Best wishes and prayers for a clean bill of health, Bob.  Put me down for a lock.
Ed

[T*O*F]

The hammer and plate dies were made from an original J&S and I think a Texan by the name of William Morgan was the man behind that idea.

OK, I dug them out and I have 3.  All are stamped WM on the back of the plate.  Two are finished locks without the J&S engraving.  The other is a kit, but has the J&S stamp and engraving.  All 3 are straight across the top, not relieved for the snail.

$66 each incl. shipping.  Ed has first dibs, Roger B. has second.
Lemme know!

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I'll take the 3rd one Dave, if you pls.

[T*O*F]

OK, as soon as I hear from Ed, I will divvy them up.

[eddillon]

To T*O*F  Please cotact me at eddillon@neconos.com I'll take the engraved plate one.
Thanks,
Ed Dillon

[rsells]

Message sent about availability of locks.
                                            Roger Sells

[Hawken62_flint]

I knew where one of these locks lives on a Hawken style rifle built sometime in the 60's or 70's (at least that is what I guess) and so over the weekend I inspected the rifle and removed the lock and it is marked WM on the inside, no other markings on it except on the outside of the lock plate which is as the ones pictured.

[eddillon]

Hi Poorboy,
Any photos by chance?

[T*O*F]

Just a little tidbit.  These locks/lock kits were distributed by Waukhon Bay  back in the day and I suspect that Pete Allen did all the castings for them.