Lock choice for squirrel rifle

[David R. Pennington]

Next build, squirrel rifle. Southern, plain, walnut stock, minimal forged iron hardware. No butplate. Minimal rudimentry relief carving and moldings, perhaps sliding wood but trap.
Barrel is .32 cal. straight 3/4" x 42" by Ed Rayl
Here are the locks I have on hand:
1. Late English style kit new old stock from 60's or 70's? Waterproof pan, three screw bridle, square tail plate, roller frizzen spring, stirrup tumbler.
2. L&R Manton
3. Small Siler internals on English round pan plate.
4. Large Siler kit.
5. L&R American early classic.
Advice appreciated.

[WadePatton]

I'm no expert but I tend to only associate English locks with Southern guns. Internals is irrelevant as far as I'm concerned at this point. So that just rules out the Large Siler in my mind.

Other folks can help you get the time-frame right with regards to your English locks.

[rich pierce]

I'd go for whatever English lock has the latest styling.  Late flint period.

[Bob Roller]

I'd go for whatever English lock has the latest styling.  Late flint period.

L&R small Manton would look good on that very slim barrel.
Internals would have to me polished but that's part of the fun.

Bob Roller

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  .... I agree with the Manton..... sometimes I like a "different" look.... I have a .50 cal. Tennessee rifle with a "double throat" hammer.... kinda neat look ...this is the "late English", but I think L&R has same hammer for their Manton .... I've seen several late flint original Tennessee rifles with double throat hammers .... just something else to consider .... ...post pix of your progress.... !!! ..Regards,   CC Fiddler ... 


free photos upload website

[hanshi]

I'm never the one to ask about locks and won't do any recommendations based on my ignorance.  But I have two squirrel rifles; an iron mounted SMR .36/ 3/4" X 38", and a SMR (more Tn in style) .32/ Rice transitional RB swamped X 38".  The SMR has a small Siler flint lock and the Tn has a late Ketland flint.  I like them both.

[David R. Pennington]

The late English kit I have looks a lot like the Davis late Ketland lock in TOW catalog. I might go ahead and build that lock and see how it turns out before I commit.