Dog Lock Question -- The Dog

[silky]

I'm having a hard time finding photos that clearly show what I'm asking. When viewed down the length of the barrel (from the shooter's perspective), did dogs typically have straight profiles, or were the tips "beefed up" for a better grip when manipulating them? The terrible picture here shows what I mean.

Specifically, I'm interested in late 17th Century English musket/fowler dog locks with this question. I have one I'm modeling, but of course the dog itself is long gone... not sure if that was on purpose to make it a conventional flintlock or if it was lost along the way. It’s a no-frills lock so I’m leaning toward the flat profile, but without much hard supporting evidence.

Thanks!

- Tom

[smart dog]

Hi Tom,
The top of the dog is "beefed up" on the inside edge not to make it easier to grab but to hang up on the bevel of the lock plate at the tail when fully back so it does not simply swing down below the lock plate.

dave

[Birddog6]

Some call this a Dog Lock.  I call it a Safety.




Others I have seen hang over the hammer & fit into a notch.

[silky]

Hi Tom,
The top of the dog is "beefed up" on the inside edge not to make it easier to grab but to hang up on the bevel of the lock plate at the tail when fully back so it does not simply swing down below the lock plate.

dave

That makes sense, and I wouldn’t have figured it out til I made a straight one, installed it, and learned the hard way. Thanks, Dave!