Davis Colonial American Flintlock

[Ted Kramer]

Hello everyone,

First I want to say thanks for all the helpful information there is on this site. Usually, any question I have can be answered by doing a search.

I have a question about a lock however that I was not able to find much info on in a search. I am wondering if some of you would share your thoughts on the Davis Colonial American flintlock. I like the looks of it and I think it'd look good on the next rifle I have planned. I guess I've been spoiled by the Chambers Colonial Virginia lock and it's reliability. It's pretty hard to beat those big locks for sure ignition.

Thanks.

Ted K.

[wvmtnman]

I used a Davis Colonial American lock on my last flintlock rifle.  I used that rifle to hunt with and it went off each time I needed it to.  I like the lock, but I made a couple changes.  First, the bolster is too thick.  It would have made the lock stick out too far from the barrel.  I grinded it down.  My lock also had a problem with the frizzen flying forward then comming back and resting against the flint when it was fired.  That was corrected by heating and bending the tip of the frizzen spring up.  The back side of the hammer also had to be grinded down.  It was hitting the stock when it was in the full cock position.
     The clearance between the internals and the lock plate is better than any lock out there.  Due to the size of the lock and hammer, I would suggest this lock being used on a larger barrel.  I used it on a "D" weight Rice barrel.  I will use the lock again.  It has a strong main spring that throws a good shower of sparks.  
                                                                                   Brian

[Pete G.]

I used the Davis Early Germanic on a transitional rifle. It looks to be just about the same lock as the one you are looking at. It is a big strong lock that fires every time any give a long flint life. I have had a couple of other Davis locks also, and they have all been good. You are correct in stating that Chambers locks will spoil a person, but in my experience, Davis runs a very close second.

[Ed Wenger]

Ted,

I've used a few of them and like them a lot.  It's a big a lock and most likely more suited to an earlier style gun, or one with a more robust stock.  I agree with Brian about the bolster, it is thick.  However, I like that (again, with an earlier style gun) because it makes for nice cheek architecture.  They seem to be very reliable and spark real well.

                   Ed

[Acer Saccharum]

I have one I have not installed yet, but it sparks like the hounds of $#*! when used in combination with a Rich Pierce flint. It's a robust design, especially suited for early guns.
Tom

[Ted Kramer]

Thanks for the replies.

The planned rifle will be one of the so called "transitional" style rifles so this lock would be correct for it. 

Best regards,

Ted

[Mike Brooks]

Excellent early lock.