Russ Hamm Bedford Co FL.

[hpdrifter]

Anybody know anything about this Russ Hamm Bedford flintlock?

I picked it up a couple months ago real cheap.  It has a few little rust spots on the exterior of the case hardened lockplate and it has been drilled and tapped at the bolster and the front of the lock.

[Levy]

I bought some locks of his (percussion) years ago and was satisfied at the time.  There are nicer locks available today.  I stopped by to see him in FT. Pierce, FL years ago and he'd sold the lock business to Dean Mitton.  James Levy

[Dphariss]

IIRC its got a good plate shape.
I used to use Russ Hamm locks years ago. The fly may not be set up properly. If its case hardened I doubt Hamm did it.

Dan

[Frank]

Built a 36 cal Bedford County rifle around that lock about 20 years ago. Had Bobby Hoyt rework the lock, but was never a good sparker. Now relegated to wallhanger status. Bottom line, Lock is junk.

[t.caster]

The ones I've used had weak main springs and soft frizzen. The last one I had, I mounted on a board for our club flintlock champion trophy. I wouldn't build a rifle around one again. I like trouble free locks!

[Bob Roller]

I knew Russ Hamm and quality wasn't his strong point and he told me at Friendship in 1964 that I was crazy for going to all the effort I put into new locks.He also got his shirt in a knot when I remade some of his locks and marked the "Rebuilt or remade by Bob Roller".The man that bought his business did no better than Hamm did.
I saw a BOOT box full of Hamm locks at Log Cabin Shop that were being sent back to the guy that Hamm sold out to. I don't really remember his name.
Maybe it was Dean Mitton.
Bob Roller

[eddillon]

Bought one in '72 from DGW.  Built slim full stock around it.  Worked perfectly.  I guess that it was beginners luck.  It was a real whoosh-banger.

[BPRICHARD]

Having lived in Bedford County, when I was ready to build my first Bedford style rifle (1975) it was the only "ready made" Bedford lock that, IMHO, I thought looked like a real Bedford lock and being a member of the Shawnee Rangers, the local ML shooting club, it presented me with the opportunity to see a large number of originals. On that first rifle I used a Hamm percussion lock, I still shoot that rifle, and after 39 years it has never let me down.
My next rifle was a flintlock Bedford, of which I don't think many original rifles have been documented. On this gun I used a Doc Haddaway lock,  and my luck is still holding out .   I didn't get to Friendship until the early '80s and with no internet I kind of lived in a "bubble", so I was unaware of things that did not show up in  DGW catalog.

I guess I got caught up in OLD THOUGHTS.  I think the Hamm percussion was worth what I paid for it.          BPRICHARD

[eddillon]

I guess that at least two of us have been lucky.

[hpdrifter]

Mixed reviews???

Well, I got this one for a song.  It seems to spark pretty good nor does the  mainspring feel weak on this one, but I'm not a flintmaster either.

I really don't have any interest in a Bedford style rifle, but I couldn't resist!!!

Guess I can just have it sitting around to look at it.

By the way Dphariss, I may have mispoke on the case hard.  It has a "bronze" cast to it and thought that may have been some kinda of casing

[eddillon]

Mixed reviews???



By the way Dphariss, I may have mispoke on the case hard.  It has a "bronze" cast to it and thought that may have been some kinda of casing

Mine had the same bronze hue.  I attribute this to a hot blued casting.  I left it alone.  Thought it was kind of cool.  New owner didn't seem to mind at all.

[Dphariss]

I knew Russ Hamm and quality wasn't his strong point and he told me at Friendship in 1964 that I was crazy for going to all the effort I put into new locks.He also got his shirt in a knot when I remade some of his locks and marked the "Rebuilt or remade by Bob Roller".The man that bought his business did no better than Hamm did.
I saw a BOOT box full of Hamm locks at Log Cabin Shop that were being sent back to the guy that Hamm sold out to. I don't really remember his name.
Maybe it was Dean Mitton.
Bob Roller

He certainly did not bother to tune the fly in the locks. Having an AD as a result on the Woods Walk in 69 caused me to learn how it properly set up a fly...
Dan

[albert]

I got a "Maslin " flint lock from Russ at Friendship in 1965 , and haven't had any problems with it , and it sparks good.

[UpDok]

I used a "Russ Hamm" Bedford flintlock marked "Dean Mitton" on my very first flintlock rifle build back in the early 80's. I never could get that lock to spark. I ended up shooting the rifle with a piece of cannon fuse and a bic lighter.  Needless to say it was not satisfactory

After that I switched over to using locks by Siler, R.E. Davis, and Chambers after he bought out Mr. Siler