40 cal Bill Large

[Firefighter91]

I recently acquired this gun, it has a Bill Large barrel and a Bob Roller lock, the triggers are stamped made in Belgium. I plan on changing the front and rear sights. I haven’t had a chance to take it out and try it yet

[Bob Roller]

That lock is the Chet Shoults designed lock and I made a bunch of them over a long
time period.I think these parts are still available from Jerry Devaudreuil in Wooster Ohio.
I think he calls it the American lock.Willy Cochran copied it later and did a decent job
of it.Cast internal parts are still available for it from Jerry as well but I never tried to
use them.Have you had this lock out of the wood? If it says Roller in a semi circle and
has USA in the semi circle it was made after 1989.Otherwise it will be dated with the
last two numbers of the year

Bob Roller

[Mike Brooks]

I'd say that gun was made in the early 70's or earlier.

[Firefighter91]

I think your right Mike, the lock has Roller in a semicircle with 71. The fellow I got it from said that the best he could remember it was made for his dad in the early 70’s, he could remember going to Bill’s shop which was only about 10 miles from here to get the barrel

[Mike Brooks]

I think your right Mike, the lock has Roller in a semicircle with 71. The fellow I got it from said that the best he could remember it was made for his dad in the early 70’s, he could remember going to Bill’s shop which was only about 10 miles from here to get the barrel

I had a .29 H. House rifle with a '72 Roller lock and Bill Large barrel. It was a great shooter.

[Firefighter91]

Backside of lock

[Firefighter91]

I was told that this gun was built by Clyde Kazee, he was from Ashland, KY

[Bob Roller]

I was told that this gun was built by Clyde Kazee, he was from Ashland, KY

That looks like Clyde's work.That lock is before 1970 but unless it's dated I can't
say when.In 1970 I went to the British linked tumbler and haven't made one of this style
since.As I said,this was Chet Shoults lock for a long time,maybe as early as 1956 when
the moulds were made.Milled cavities,polished aluminum and EXPENSIVE back then.
Chet later had health issues and lost control of the moulds and shortly after I started
making them but with this bench crafted mechanism instead of the cast parts.
Bob Roller

[flinter49]

Well Firefighter I'd say you hit paydirt. Bill Large barrel and a Roller lock.

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  ... must have been a true Kentuckian to use the outline of the state as his side-plate,.... !!!!

[Ky-Flinter]

CCF,

You beat me to it.  My being from Kantuckee, isn't that just about the coolest side plate ever. 

-Ron

[Firefighter91]

That’s the best part of the gun  😉