Bluegrass Locks

[Don Tripp]

When I first became interested in BP in the 1970s I would occasionally hear the term Bluegrass Lock. Does anybody else recall this? I tried to Google it but got nothing of any value.

[Bernard]

I've never heard of it before but could bluegrass = Kentucky = flintlock?

[Habu]

I've got vague memories associating the term with some hardware store, not sure if it was an in-house brand or the name of the store, or what.  I guess I'm in the wrong part of the country to know, seem to recall it was a Southern term.

You might check Foxfire 5.

[oakridge]

Seems like I remember a connection with Dixie Gun Works.

[b bogart]

Bluegrass was a hardware brand lock. The hardware shut down 25+ years ago. I rememeber this because I bought some tools at a salvage/discount operation. Sorry that's all I can remember.

[Bob Roller]

Bluegrass/Belknap Hardware. I got the last Smith&Wesson 1950 Target 44 Spl they had.
That was farther back than 25 years.

Bob Roller

[bgf]

There is a reference in Foxfire 5 to them as Habu says, but it is just a passing reference implying they are cheap hardware store locks that were still widely available (at the time of FF5).  I came across the reference again recently as an adult, but couldn't find much about them.

[Stophel]

Years ago at a gunshow I saw a flint rifle with a Bluegrass Hardware lock on it (if I recall correctly).  There's a tape measure here at the store from Bluegrass Hardware.  I believe the John Primble pocketknives were from Bluegrass Hardware, and were the only pocketknives my grandfather would carry!   

[David R. Pennington]

I don't know if they had gunlocks but I remember the Bluegrass hardware trade name. I have an old kerosine lantern that was sold under that name.

[flintriflesmith]

They also had a line of rakes, shovels, and even wheel barrows. Just the ACE Hardware of their day.
I've seen several percussion locks marked Bluegrass and they looked like Belgian import grade ca.1880.
Gary

[Don Tripp]

Thanks for answering my question. That's the kind of stuff that starts running through my mind when I've been up for nineteen hours.

[Dave R]

Bluegrass Hardware was located in Louisville, KY.

Dave r

[Don Tripp]

Bluegrass Hardware was located in Louisville, KY.

Dave r

KY, that makes sense, even though I'm in Southern Michigan. When I was growing up in the 70s we had enclaves of people from Kentucky all around our area. They came here to get jobs in the automotive industry. It definitely flavored our local culture. That's how I was exposed to two of the greatest loves of my life, longrifles and barbecued pork shoulder.