Lately, advice to not use Siler locks on “southern mtn rifles” and “Tennessee rifles” is strongly worded – approaching absolute. Sometimes it criticizes certain kits and makers, possibly interfering with their reputation, jobs, investment. We are also told that “Germanic (continental) locks were used in PA, with English locks for the South”. I respectfully offer another view. A careful copy or version of a known rifle from the “south” or anywhere is to be appreciated – including the lock, triggers, mounts, screws and pins, shaping and finish. I also enjoy the newly invented “Virginia rifle”, the “early Woodbury school” with wide butt and iron mounts and preponderance of contemporary iron mounted rifles, even though I’ve not seen an historic basis for same. They look and feel sweet, and with faux aging, want to tell a story. All fun.
SMR and Tennessee are broad terms – in geography and time. The Christian’s Spring gunshop always had English and Germanic locks and barrels on hand. The Bethabara and Salem shops were supplied from Lancaster, PA and from Cross Creek and Charles Town, so probably had both. There are good contemporary locks available in both styles. A rifle made or carried into these southern mountains before 1800 might well have had a Germanic lock, along with brass mounts, etc. – depending on where the makers and parts came from. Use of iron came later, after local forges were established.
By 1800 – 1820, most locks in this entire country were English imports, or made here in English style, and Ron Long’s / now Davis’ late Ketland lock and Jim’s late Ketland are examples. These were small, refined products from the high point of lock design. By 1840 the locks were larger, plain and round at the rear, and not so refined, like many on these southern rifles. The same locks appear on Leman Indian rifles and others of this period - Goulcher and many other markings. There are numerous Dickert rifles with “English” locks. No one makes a lock like these today – unless from castings. They might be too ugly, and not work as well, as they seem to have been a step backwards, as percussion was taking over.
Quite a few of these southern rifles we see / copy were probably made after 1840, with those large, round tailed locks? But these are not available, so anything we do is a change. It’s tough to shape an attractive lock molding on a sweet, slim rifle around that big later lock. A Siler (or other small lock) is a much better “fit”, and it has been a great lock for many years. I see a Siler as half Germanic with its faceted pan, slashes at rear and pointed tail, and half English with frizzen spring and external screw, etc. If the pan is filed round, the lockplate behind slash is lowered to bottom of bevel and the cock is modified a bit, it’s a good earlier English lock. This should result in a slimmer look. In any event, it’s no less speculative than so many other things we are doing today?
A lot of fine, slim iron mounted rifles have been made over the years with Siler, Long, Davis, Chambers, Roller, L&R and other locks. These are a good first build for new folks, or an affordable rifle for family with limited means. That’s where I started. Many are generic, are more attractive than certain originals, and that’s OK. Bob
