Is this a Bob Roller Lock?

[John C IND]

Years ago, a friend gave me a pistol he built and he always said it had a Bob Roller flintlock on it.
The lock doesn't have any markings on it.  It was given to me back in 1978, and the man had had it at least six years prior to that.
Fast forward to the present... Imagine my surprise when I found Bob Roller as a contributor to this site.
The builder's name was Dr. L. H. (Howard) White, on Washington Street in Valparaiso, Indiana.
The lock has a separate pan, and a fly in an unusual (to me) tumbler.
Bob, is this one of yours? Doc was a frequent visitor to Friendship, perhaps he bought it from you there?

[Bob Roller]

That lock is NOT one of mine but it may be a modified Siler.

Bob Roller

[John C IND]

Thanks for the reply, Bob.  I felt the innards were a little rough for your work.
Doc may have bought this lock from a third party... He's no longer with us to ask.

[Bob Roller]

John C IND,
You're welcome.This isn't the first time my name was used to misrepresent a gun lock.
Years ago a fellow at Friendship had some semi finished caplock rifles that he said had my locks and before I identified myself I asked him where he got them and he said "Bob Roller gives me a priority" on them.I advised him that it was fraud and then showed him my drivers license.I then told him that the local Sheriff will be here if he doesn't stop such a farce.He left the range and I never heard any more about him.

Bob Roller

[Jim Chambers]

John,
You can rule out Siler.  I see nothing in the photos that resemble any of the Siler parts.  My best guess is that it is something he bought from Dixie Gun Works.

[Bob Roller]

John,
I agree with Jim 100% about that lock.No name or other marks and it may be a put up job from different locks.

Bob Roller

[WadePatton]

Bob, did you ever make un-marked locks/triggers.  The few (late models) that i have are clearly marked "Roller USA".

Just for clarifications of the subject matter, not this partikkalar lock under scrutiny.  thanks.

[iloco]

Could that lock be a Doc Hadaway lock.  It resembles one I have a lot.

[Bob Roller]

Wade,
I don't remember not putting my last name inside a lock and one customer in Texas wanted it outside.Same for triggers.Until 1989 I used my last name in a sem circle with the year inside.After that it was Roller USA in the semi circle.

Bob Roller

[C Wallingford]

Could that lock be a Doc Hadaway lock.  It resembles one I have a lot.

No, that does not have Doc's cartouche cast on the inside of the plate.

[WadePatton]

Wade,
I don't remember not putting my last name inside a lock and one customer in Texas wanted it outside.Same for triggers.Until 1989 I used my last name in a sem circle with the year inside.After that it was Roller USA in the semi circle.

Bob Roller

So the Original Question can generally be answered,

IF no "Roller/year" or "Roller USA" inside the plate,
THEN NOT a "Bob Roller" lock or triggerset.

I know you can see lots of other differences, but that should get us Crackers an easy answer.

thanks Bob!

[Bob Roller]

Wade,
That's right.As anyone can see,I use individual stamps and it shows.Sometimes I get a good job with them but it has nothing to do with the function of the lock.One other thing I thought of was that someone had made a mould using my percussion lock plate and it had my name showing but I don't think they were ever used by anyone.I saw them at Friendship years ago.

Bob Roller

[John C IND]

I honestly don't think Dr. White was defrauding anybody, I'm convinced someone defrauded him in this case.
He seemed pretty proud of that 'Roller' (the Non Roller) lock.
I still treasure the pistol he built around it, regardless.

[Majorjoel]

Just paging through an old 1980 copy of Muzzle Loader magazine and came upon a photo add with a picture of a lock that looks just like the one posted above. It was made by Dean Mitton.  I may have misspelled the last name.

[Bob Roller]

IF that is a Dean Mitton lock it has been refilled to a better level of detailing. Mitton took over Russ Hamm's locks which weren't made for the quality buyer.

Bob Roller

[Bob Roller]

Correction,I meant refiled NOT refilled.

Bob Roller