Author Topic: Clark .58 Rifle  (Read 2303 times)

Offline moodyholler

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Clark .58 Rifle
« on: March 26, 2023, 07:41:02 PM »
Clark .58 Rifle I got today.





Offline Carl Young

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2023, 09:22:09 PM »
Very attractive, I haven't seen many percussion locks with the sliding bar safety. Thanks for posting this.

Best,
Carl
Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses. -Juvenal

Offline Daryl

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2023, 02:58:27 AM »
Nice rifle - typically English. What I find quite interesting, is the flat-head screw replacing the platinum relief disk.

Here's another one. 1853, IIRC.


Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline alacran

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2023, 04:21:34 PM »
That is a beautiful rifle, Daryl. Impeccable English inletting.
A man's rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.  Frederick Douglass

Offline Bob Roller

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #4 on: March 27, 2023, 11:50:52 PM »
That is a beautiful rifle, Daryl. Impeccable English inletting.
High end English rifle with a "3 pin"lock.Also a single set trigger.The sliding safety was an uneeded thing but it works well.
My Whitworth had a "4 pin"Brazier lock with the sliding safety in front of the hammer.I am glad the Brits made these and it
was an experience to see how close I might copy them.
Bob Roller

Offline dadybear1

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2023, 12:01:20 AM »
GREAT LOOKING RIFLE--NICE CONDITION

Offline Daryl

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2023, 07:05:21 PM »
Clark .58 Rifle I got today.





moodyholler, the bolster on your rifle is very similar to some the Hawken Brothers used. I find that QUITE interesting.
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline moodyholler

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #7 on: May 07, 2023, 12:36:39 AM »
Inside of lock



Offline moodyholler

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #8 on: May 07, 2023, 12:38:55 AM »
Pic











Offline Daryl

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #9 on: May 07, 2023, 05:21:09 AM »
Really nice and crisp. What's the bore like?
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline Bob Roller

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #10 on: May 07, 2023, 05:41:58 AM »
Inside of lock



This is a  conventional mechanism and I made identical ones for years but never used the sliding safety. if this type of rifle inspired the Hawken brothers to make a half stock gun they should have looked closer.Thank you for showing this lock and rifle.
Bob Roller
WHAT is the slotted thing in the hole that uses a cross bolt to secure the lock to the gun??

Now that I think about it,almost every "Hawken"lock I ever made had this mechanism but without the support for the sliding safety.
Feeble mindedness,ain't it great?
« Last Edit: May 08, 2023, 06:13:48 PM by Bob Roller »

Offline Mattox Forge

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #11 on: May 07, 2023, 06:49:08 AM »
WHAT is the slotted thing in the hole that uses a cross bolt to secure the lock to the gun??

I believe that is a black marker line on the piece of cardboard behind the lock.

Mike

Offline moodyholler

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #12 on: May 07, 2023, 01:56:50 PM »
Daryl bore is bright. Hope to shoot it soon. moodyholler

Offline Bob Roller

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #13 on: May 07, 2023, 03:37:49 PM »
WHAT is the slotted thing in the hole that uses a cross bolt to secure the lock to the gun??

I believe that is a black marker line on the piece of cardboard behind the lock.

Mike
Thank you for the clarification.You probably know this but before you load it,put a patch in the muzzle and snap a cap
to see if the vent is open.If it's clear the patch should be blown away.The screw replacing the platinum disc was probably
a "back up"thing so the breech plug could be primed IF need arises.Please keep us posted about test firing this fine rifle.
Bob Roller

Offline BigSkyRambler

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #14 on: May 07, 2023, 05:26:38 PM »
I love those English sporting rifles.  I think a custom flinter will be in my future.

Offline moodyholler

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #15 on: May 07, 2023, 06:09:41 PM »
Not finding any info on Clark or lock maker. Any ideas? Thanks

Offline Bob Roller

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #16 on: May 07, 2023, 09:00:43 PM »
Not finding any info on Clark or lock maker. Any ideas? Thanks
[/quote

At one time there were very many lock filers in Wolverhampton  and they were made by specialists and each one would make a part
and then the lock was assembled.Some times the whole lock was made by one maker who was also able to cast the hammers and in
the flintlock era,the frizzens and plates.I was on a forum I think was called Muzzle Loaders International and they furnished a lot of the
information about a variety if things.I was told that a pair of "4 pin"locks could cost $4000 but that did include the hammers.
Your gun has a fine lock and I would put my name in it because it looks like my "3 pin" with the exception of the support for the sliding
safety.
Bob Roller
« Last Edit: May 09, 2023, 03:06:45 AM by Bob Roller »

Offline Daryl

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #17 on: May 08, 2023, 12:54:57 AM »
Thanks Bob. I had wondered what that triangle of metal was, in the middle of the sear spring. Support for the safety - spot-on!
Thanks for the note on your 24 bore's condition, moodyholler.
VERY interesting rear sight leaves, with the apertures instead of notches. I've never seen that before.
Here's the bore on Taylor's 16 bore Joseph Lang, another quality English rifle. Gotta love 'em.


Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline moodyholler

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #18 on: May 08, 2023, 01:52:44 AM »
Daryl, notches and arpetures.Pictures coming.
moodyholler

Offline Mattox Forge

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #19 on: May 08, 2023, 02:48:28 AM »
Thanks Bob. I had wondered what that triangle of metal was, in the middle of the sear spring. Support for the safety - spot-on!

The little triangle is the safety bolt detent spring. It has a ridge on the other side that a bump on the safety bolt pushes on. Here are some photos of a flint lock pistol lock which has a similar design.








This particular lock does not "click" into the locked position. On some I have the raised portion has sharper edges on both the spring and the bolt. This causes rhe spring to snap down and make an audible noise.

Mike

Offline Daryl

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #20 on: May 08, 2023, 05:44:48 AM »
Cool beans - thanks Mike. :)
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline Bob Roller

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #21 on: May 08, 2023, 04:26:42 PM »
I love those English sporting rifles.  I think a custom flinter will be in my future.
THIS is an excellent idea and it will send a small message to Goosem&Giggem cap companies.The Chambers or Kibler Late Ketland would be an ideal lock for this type of project.
Bob Roller
« Last Edit: May 09, 2023, 02:53:51 AM by Bob Roller »

Offline Curtis

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Re: Clark .58 Rifle
« Reply #22 on: May 10, 2023, 09:09:20 AM »
Thanks Bob. I had wondered what that triangle of metal was, in the middle of the sear spring. Support for the safety - spot-on!

The little triangle is the safety bolt detent spring. It has a ridge on the other side that a bump on the safety bolt pushes on. Here are some photos of a flint lock pistol lock which has a similar design.








This particular lock does not "click" into the locked position. On some I have the raised portion has sharper edges on both the spring and the bolt. This causes rhe spring to snap down and make an audible noise.

Mike

Here is a version of that spring....
https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=49314.0

Curtis
Curtis Allinson
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Sometimes, late at night when I am alone in the inner sanctum of my workshop and no one else can see, I sand things using only my fingers for backing