Clark .58 Rifle

[moodyholler]

Clark .58 Rifle I got today.

[Carl Young]

Very attractive, I haven't seen many percussion locks with the sliding bar safety. Thanks for posting this.

Best,
Carl

[Daryl]

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.

[alacran]

That is a beautiful rifle, Daryl. Impeccable English inletting.

[Bob Roller]

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

[dadybear1]

GREAT LOOKING RIFLE--NICE CONDITION

[Daryl]

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.

[moodyholler]

Inside of lock

[moodyholler]

Pic

[Daryl]

Really nice and crisp. What's the bore like?

[Bob Roller]

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?

[Mattox Forge]

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

[moodyholler]

Daryl bore is bright. Hope to shoot it soon. moodyholler

[Bob Roller]

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

[BigSkyRambler]

I love those English sporting rifles.  I think a custom flinter will be in my future.

[moodyholler]

Not finding any info on Clark or lock maker. Any ideas? Thanks

[Bob Roller]

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

[Daryl]

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.

[moodyholler]

Daryl, notches and arpetures.Pictures coming.
moodyholler

[Mattox Forge]

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

[Daryl]

Cool beans - thanks Mike.

[Bob Roller]

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

[Curtis]

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