Gun locks going down the Great Wagon Road

[Daddyof2]

     I know that the Great Wagon Road was used for heavy trade to the backcountry of the Carolinas. Were gun locks from Moravian Pennsylvania ever ordered and sent down to the Moravian settlements of Salem, Bethabara, Bethania and Salisbury in the mid - late 1700s by gunmakers who worked there? OR, did all gunmakers in these Carolina communities make their own locks? Thanks guys!

[Clark Badgett]

Depends whether or not it was economically feasible, verses the importation of cheap English locks into southern ports.

[Bob McBride]

My thoughts are that docks loaded with barrels full of English locks would make the road not cost effective but there may have been a niche market that could support small shipments of German locks. Some tend to prefer what can be had at a lower price if the quality suits and some tend to prefer higher cost if it carries status and a perceived if not actual higher quality. The percentages we see seem to reflect the reality on the ground.

[mbriggs]

That is a good question, wish we knew the answer. 

There are almost no 1770 early Moravian rifles known to survive from the Wachovia Tract or Salisbury, so we don't know what locks they would have used.  I just spent three years writing a new book on Moravian gunsmiths in North Carolina. 

The Moravian records make it very clear there was a lot of trade going on between the Moravian's in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. There is a mention of Andreas Betz (N.C.) ordering a dozen rifle barrels from William Henry (PA.) in the 1760's, but I did not find any mention of him ordering gun locks from PA. Betz is quoted as having rejected those barrels, "but he is a peculiar man you know."

Andreas Betz was a lock smith and possibly made his own gun locks.  There is a lot of evidence the early Moravian gunsmiths in North Carolina spent a lot more time repairing rifles, than building new ones.

When we get into the 1790 - 1830 period of the Vogler gunsmiths in Salem, they mostly used imported English gun locks, but there are a couple of signed examples of locks made by them.

I hope this helps.

Michael   

[Daddyof2]

Thanks much for the info Mr Briggs!! It really helps. Through messenger I sent you my email. Thanks again!!!

[rich pierce]

Michael, I look forward to your book. Daddy of 2, I’ve never seen a Great Wagon Toad but I bet it makes a great wagoners mascot!   

[blienemann]

Hi Daddy,

We touched on this with your other post.  There's a handwritten list of stock in the Salem gunstocking shop under Valentine Beck that we think is from about 1772.  On hand were 15 rifle barrels, 15 locks, brass gun mounts, brass and iron sheet, spring steel and so forth.  I would bet these materials, including the locks, came down from PA.

The Moravian communities operated their "Wachovia wagons" along a route from Bethlehem through Redding Town, Lancaster and York, on down through Maryland, Virginia to Bethabara and Salem, and back again.  The dozen barrels Betz received from Henry were obviously delivered from Henry in PA.

Salisbury was outside the Moravian lands and influence - though Betz eventually left Bethabara to marry a daughter of another gunsmith there.  Much more could be learned of Salisbury, the gunstockers there, and their influence on many rifles that followed.

It's fine to ask questions here, but we encourage you to read Michael's new book and others, so you have a broader understanding of the trades and times.  It will add value to any rifle you build or buy.

[Daddyof2]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!  Your info is invaluable. I have to ask questions here. Wish I could run out and buy the book but, I’ve been laid up with covid and have no income as of present.

[rich pierce]

Rich and Daniel, I’m sorry for the misspelling of the word ROAD. A thousand pardons. Maybe the earth want stop spinning on its axis. It just gave you something to laugh at. Me  I do want to thank everyone for sharing their knowledge

Daddy, hope I did not offend. It just struck my funny one. A thousand apologies for my being a wise guy. If you like I’ll clean up the off-topic posts lickety split.

[Daddyof2]

 No need. Sometimes I laugh at myself more than anybody😂😂 Thanks for offering anyway. . Just got into same situation with another guy last night who was the exact opposite of you. His way or highway. Knowing guys like you make the hobby enjoyable!!

[mbriggs]

Rich Pierce,
I published my book on the Moravian gunsmiths in North Carolina in July 2020.  They are available now.  I will attach the information below on how to order them.  I hope you enjoy it.

Michael

[Dennis Glazener]

My thoughts are that docks loaded with barrels full of English locks would make the road not cost effective but there may have been a niche market that could support small shipments of German locks. Some tend to prefer what can be had at a lower price if the quality suits and some tend to prefer higher cost if it carries status and a perceived if not actual higher quality. The percentages we see seem to reflect the reality on the ground.

I wish my memory was better on this subject but I remember someone telling me that the bulk of the English locks that made their way to Appalachian Mountain rifles came by way of New Orleans, Alabama and other southern ports. I assume as stock for local southern hardware stores etc

Maybe someone can refresh my memory and what time frame, I assume 1820's and later??
Dennis