Roller locks and triggers

[WalnutRed]

I recently bought a small lot of Bob Roller locks and triggers. Mainly because I wanted the left hand flintlock. Do you have any theory on what type of firearm the trigger at the bottom is intended? I think it's a pistol trigger due to the curve.

[Bob Roller]

It IS a single set trigger for a pistol and the one with the guard attached probably a a Schuetzen or other target rifle.The left hand lock is rare and the caplock is generic and can be used for any hunting rifle.Can you show the top caplock internal parts? The single set trigger is a rare one in this country.Most of them went to Germany. They are not easy to make and I wouldn't make another one today.They were expensive years ago,over $125 as I recall.
Bob Roller

[WalnutRed]

Absolutely!

[Bob Roller]

THANK YOU for showing these.All were made with common tools except the bridle on the 4 screw lock.The support posts that the screws go thru are done with a hollow milling cutter dedicated to these locks and a similar mechanism for a schuetzen rifle for the now deceased Helmut Mohr in Germany.I made several of these hollow cutters for different jobs and I still have them.
Bob Roller

[WalnutRed]

So does the percussion lock with the four screw bridle and the double set trigger go together?

[Bob Roller]

They CAN but usually the 4 screw lock was used with a single trigger.The double set rigger and the other lock are what is common on most American guns.The single set trigger is according to Helmut Mohr  a French design and he called it a "Franzosicher Ruckstecher" or a French posh forward trigger,The single trigger was usually kept in contact with the sear with a light spring.
Bob Roller           

[WalnutRed]

I greatly appreciate your help identifying these locks and triggers.  It must be nice to know that your work is still admired so highly.

[duca]

I still say that someone should Sit down with Bob doing an interview with him while we still have him. What a great talent.

[Martin S.]

I still say that someone should Sit down with Bob doing an interview with him while we still have him. What a great talent.

Whenever he comes to CLA, I make it a point to visit with him.  He has fascinating stories about all sorts of mechanical things, from airplanes to fancy cars to locks.

A true renaissance man.

I wish he would write a book about his life and all that he has done.  I'd buy it.

We are rapidly losing the folks that have his kind of talent to make stuff from scratch.

[cornbread]

Might be a dumb comment to make but, too bad Mr. Raby didn’t see that trigger for his Schurtzen build? Last video of his I saw he stated not having a good curve for the stock profile. His mileage on this point would vary I’m sure. 😋

Cheers,
James

[Bob Roller]

When I made triggers as a common thing I could contour the bar to suit the curve of the stock and the location of the sear.I have several different types for the Hawken but no current plans to revive them or the locks.I am pleased to hear these comments on my ideas of quality control on parts for muzzle loaders.My personal admiration for the lock filers of Great Britain was the inspiration for what you see here today and also shows my opinion of the buyers and me as the maker. I know there are a lot of people that can't afford these parts but there are a number of locks and triggers that are very good at a lower price and that's a good thing.Thanks again for the good opinions of my ideas about lock and trigger making.A book about my life would be about 2 pages long.The first 16 years were mundane and coming from a German area of Chicago in 1946 to Huntington WVa was indeed a culture shock and I will say no more.
Bob Roller

[Jim Kibler]

I hear you about the lock filers of old.  I have admiration and pity for them.  What a hard and demanding job to be doing this work 10 hours a day.

[JTR]

There's no doubt good locks are available and being made today, but owning and using a Roller lock is pure bliss!
Bob put something into his locks that no machine can copy.
John

[Bob Roller]

I hear you about the lock filers of old.  I have admiration and pity for them.  What a hard and demanding job to be doing this work 10 hours a day.

Might be a dumb comment to make but, too bad Mr. Raby didn’t see that trigger for his Schurtzen build? Last video of his I saw he stated not having a good curve for the stock profile. His mileage on this point would vary I’m sure. 😋

Cheers,
James

There is no such thing as a dumb comment or question. I quit making  locks in 2019 and made triggers only on a once in a while basis.
The Schuetzen triggers I made for Helmut Mohr were contoured to a precarved stock made by Pecatonica and the locks were an L&R plate and hammer with a 3 screw version of the lock seen here.  Helmut called it :Der Kreuzstudel".
Bob Roller

[Bob Roller]

Ten hours a day and they had NO powered machines and the iight was not good even on a bright and sunny day.Their filing skills were beyond anything I can do now.
I am having a bandsaw problem (metal cutting)that keeps throwing the blade off the lower wheel.It is a relic and I used it in making triggers.
Bob Roller

[Bob Roller]

I still say that someone should Sit down with Bob doing an interview with him while we still have him. What a great talent.

IF someone wants to interview me they can do it HERE.Questions about locks and triggers and materials used are fine.
Has anyone heard any more about Barbie Chambers?We have the same birthday,March 27 but mine was in 1936.She is
a lovely person and I hope she has really good doctors taking care of her.
Bob Roller

[aaronc]

Very nice looking work Mr. Roller.

[Bob Roller]

Thank you.It was my every day standard of work when I made them.
Bob Roller