Albert...I am intrigued by your reference to a Benjamin Mills rifle with the "Brazier Ashes" lock. I have studied Kentucky guns for years, including Mill's fine target rifles, pistols, and superposed combination guns. His early guns (that I have seen) all appear to have locks made in his own shop. I have seen a number of his later guns where he began to use some commercial parts such as cast brass guards and butt plates, etc. going away from his fine iron mountings used on earlier guns. I am wondering if your rifle might be a later work when he began to use commercial parts. Would you mind sharing a picture of your Mills rifle so I could get an idea of where it dates in his working years, and perhaps a good picture of the lock to see how it differs (if it does) from his own locks? His guns were of the highest quality and known well beyond Kentucky for their accuracy and workmanship, so it only stands to reason that if he purchased locks, they would be of high quality due to the criticalness of the lock's action on a fine target rifle. I would very much like to get an idea of when he might have started purchasing locks for his guns...and the style of gun (his typical target/hunting rifle?) such a lock would be used on. Thanks, Shelby Gallien
