Return of the Bob Ditchburn / JP Beck Lock!

[Chris Evrard]

Any updates?

Hopefully by Kempton or Carlisle I’ll be able to snag one!🤞

John I am finally getting a little time to work on it! Hopefully not too much longer.

Best


CE

[alacran]

Out of many many thousands ( won’t tell you exactly how many), we’ve never broken a mainspring.  Given all of the potential issues with cast springs it’s silly to think a fully machined spring from bar would be inferior.

This is coming from a a metallurgist

Your locks haven't been around that long. I don't care how much engineering and metallurgy goes into making a product. Things can and will break, give it time.

[Jim Kibler]

Out of many many thousands ( won’t tell you exactly how many), we’ve never broken a mainspring.  Given all of the potential issues with cast springs it’s silly to think a fully machined spring from bar would be inferior.

This is coming from a a metallurgist

Your locks haven't been around that long. I don't care how much engineering and metallurgy goes into making a product. Things can and will break, give it time.

I don't even know what your statement really means.  Are you suggesting that if I just wait a bit then I'm going to have springs start to break?  Is 5-6 years in service not sufficient to determine if they are suitable?  I would also ask what you are basing your opinions on.  Please explain.  This statement you made seems pretty weak at best.

Again, at over 6 figures worth of locks produced over the last 5-6 years, and not one broken mainspring, I think that any reasonable person would conclude it's a very good process.  There are things I worry about, but this is about last on the list.

Sometimes I wonder why I even bother to engage with silly statements like this. 

Jim Kibler
Metallurgical Engineer

[rich pierce]

Decision of the moderators: Further responses on this topic should relate to the process and progress in bringing the Ditchburn lock back and available to builders again. Other responses not relating to that endeavor will be removed.

Anyone wanting a topic on the reliability and performance of mainsprings produced by different methods should start a new topic on that subject. This thread has strayed too far for too long.

[Eric Kettenburg]

I'm glad there are a number of people making great locks available for a relatively small, niche market.  Because I don't want to.   

[Bob Roller]

I'm glad there are a number of people making great locks available for a relatively small, niche market.  Because I don't want to.   

Neither do I anymore.Enough was enough and now I seldom think about it beyond what I post here.Most locks seen on American guns are a simple design and I have made them but preferred the English designs for mechanisms and made some for the few that appreciated them,
Maybe 40 full size and 8 smaller ones.Springs,once a style is selected and material bought are the engines of any lock and I recall the earlier cast mainsprings that were the source of wrecked stocks.I used cast frizzen springs and they seemed to work.I have locks and triggers all over Europe and so far so good.
Bob Roller

[Chris Evrard]

Decision of the moderators: Further responses on this topic should relate to the process and progress in bringing the Ditchburn lock back and available to builders again. Other responses not relating to that endeavor will be removed.

Anyone wanting a topic on the reliability and performance of mainsprings produced by different methods should start a new topic on that subject. This thread has strayed too far for too long.

Much appreciated Mods!

CE

[bob in the woods]

I'm glad there are a number of people making great locks available for a relatively small, niche market.  Because I don't want to.   

I'm surprised and thankful that anyone is putting in the time and expense to bring any new lock to market, since I don't see it as a magical road to riches .
BTW, Eric, I still have an advertisement you did some 30 years ago offering hand made locks at a surprisingly low price !  I wish I had the sense then to buy a couple 
 

[Jdbeck]

Appreciate the update, and hard work you are putting into this. It was a large investment for you and I hope it pays dividends. I know im here waiting to make a purchase 🙏🤞

[HighUintas]

Chris, is there any updates on your progress?

Also, what style of rifles could this lock be used on? I know it is not the typical lock type to be used on a southern mountain rifle, but could it correctly be used on any type of southern mountain rifle?

[Chris Evrard]

Hey All,

I meant to post an update last week to HighUintas query.

I have nothing new to report on the Beck lock unfortunately. I have been devoting all my time to my 9-5 lately. I just finished up a 15K piece order of turned parts for the Chambers family. I also have something big coming down the pike that has required all my hours as of late. I cannot say quite yet what it is (ooooooooh....the mystery.......... )

Planning on having Beck/Ditchburns ready the first quarter of 2025.

Thanks everyone!!!!

Chris E.

[Bob Roller]

As a former lock maker I am glad to see the major upgrades across the whole spectrum of this line of work.Also a big THANKS to L&R for selling all I needed in external parts to make locks for export to Germany..
Bob Roller

[Chris Evrard]

Hey All, just a quick update as I haven’t posted in some time. Over the past several months, I’ve been working closely with Chambers Flintlocks to help transition their lock line into CNC production. We began with the Siler and Deluxe Siler locks—their most widely used models—and now have shipped them the first batches of parts. This marks a significant shift for the future of their production. It’s a careful, deliberate process, and we’re planning to bring more of their well-known locks models into production as we move forward. It’s been a privilege to be part of this project, knowing how much it could mean for lock availability and consistency in the years to come. There’s a lot of talk these days about CNC and innovation, but we’re building on a foundation of proven designs, tested and trusted over many decades by professional builders and hobbyist who know what they’re looking for!


As for the Ditchburn-Beck flintlock, my initial hope was to have it re-released by the first quarter of 2025, but the timeline has shifted a bit. I'm now setting my sights on the Kempton Gunbuilders Fair in July 2025. Just this week, I sent out a batch of Ditchburn parts to none other than L.C. Rice, who will be handling the assembly. Having someone of his stature and depth of experience involved is a milestone in itself. If all goes as planned, we’ll have locks ready for sale at Kempton. This project has taken time, but the foundations being laid now—both with Chambers and with the Ditchburn-Beck—feel like steps toward something enduring. We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel—we’re refining it with the benefit of long experience and skilled hands.


Thanks for all your continued support and as always, if you have any questions just let me know.

Best, CE

[rich pierce]

Very cool, Chris. Pace yourself!

[Jdbeck]

That’s great news Chris thanks for the update.

[t.caster]

Thanks for the update Chris! I can't wait to get one and replace the weak Ditchburn lock on my Beck Fowler. I can't make it to Kempton this year, how can I get one of the first batch?

[Dphariss]

I am not a metallurgist or even a decent lock maker. But I have played around with such things for just about 50 years now.  Cast springs are an abomination. When I was building BPCR match rifles for people in the 1990s I would pitch the cast mainsprings and put in CIVIL WAR SURPLUS springs that SFAIK were made by a sub contractor in Bridgeport Conn. Who did lock internal parts for Spencer and Sharps. I suspect since they are all the same that there surely was machine forging and then some milling machine work, and obviously some filing, again they are all interchangeable, a made in the 1860s drop in part for a rifle made last week. They had to make 150000 or more of these things in the course of that war along with similar numbers of  other internals. So making high quality lock springs in large numbers before modern investment casting is not new. CNC machines have been an upgrade to the 1850s-60s operation. I think that Jim’s springs are great. Very consistent. Strong and lively. Now is it possible that one of Jim’s springs might break? ANYTHING is “possible”, but “likely”? That is a different thing.

[Jakob]

That is great news about the Chambers locks.

[Chris Evrard]

Thanks for the update Chris! I can't wait to get one and replace the weak Ditchburn lock on my Beck Fowler. I can't make it to Kempton this year, how can I get one of the first batch?

Hey Tom,

Will Send you a PM.

Thanks and Best to you!

CE

[rich pierce]

This thread is about the Ditchburn lock and let’s try to limit it to that and not a broader discussion of approaches Joe or Sam or Bill use in their locks. I recognize that threads and conversations wander but let’s start new topics instead of piggybacking if something else is of particular interest. I might suggest : “Cast versus machined versus forged mainsprings: does it make any difference, or is design and heartbeat the real decider? . Heck I’m going to do that now.

[Jdbeck]

The countdown to Kempton begins… I cannot wait to get my hands on one of these!

[Bob Roller]

That is a good looking lock and if a cast mainspring has proven reliable then use it.Forging them is time consuming and I made them in the old style for a long time before changing to the linked style.Sell them and consider them as a well done job.
Bob Roller

[Marcruger]

I have to say, if Chris builds it, it will be excellent. I have two of his modified and tuned Chambers locks and they are really fine pieces of mechanical joy.  God bless, Marc

[Chris Evrard]

Thanks for the LOVE everyone!!!

LC Rice is building locks as I write. I am in the shop right now trying to finish up a few bits and pieces too! And of course I am short a few screws so I'll have to fire up the OmniTurn lathe as well.

Hope to see a lot of you at Kepmton!

Best,

CE

[sbowman]

Chris, I would like to purchase a lock, but like others, won't be at Kempton.  I sent you a pm

Steve