G Goulcher Lock Date???

[gibster]

I had a guy send me a picture of a southern mountain rifle with a G Goulcher lock in it that he is considering buying.  All I am able to find on G Goulcher (with this spelling) was that he worked in England from 1856 till 1872.  There was a G Golcher working in NY City around 1840.  Both were past the flintlock era.  Does anyone have any info on another G Goulcher from an earlier date?  The current owner of the rifle thinks that it was made 1810 timeframe. The lock has the round tail that to me, would place it at the earliest around 1820.  The barrel is not signed so trying to determine when it was made would pretty much have to be from the lock style and name on the lock.  Any info on the name or dating of a round tail flintlock lock would be appreciated.

[Tanselman]

Any chance we can see the full lock, and how round the tail is? Southern guns seem to have a mind of their own at times, not always following the normal patterns seen in northern guns, even in locks. Without seeing the rest of the lock, I'd think 1820 might be a little generous, and it may be a bit later, 1825-1835.

Shelby Gallien

[gibster]

Shelby - Here is the only picture that I have showing the full lock. It's not a straight on shot, but all he had sent me.  Thanks.

[Tanselman]

Gibby,

I'm going to be a total @ss on this one. I think the side facing has been slabbed and a non-original lock mounted on this rifle. Three reasons for leaning this way: 1) too much dark color around the edges of the side facing, and more importantly, 2) the mortise edges around the lock plate are simply too perfect, too clean, to be as old as the gun. As you and I know, locks went in and out of guns over the years for repair and clearning, and mortise edges always got a bit nicked and dinged, especially on the back end where they were occasionally pried out. The mortise edges just look way to perfect, in my opinion, and 3) the flash hole is way off for this lock, or at least it looks like that in the last image.

The lock itself has ovality remaining in its tail and hasn't gone to a really rounded tail yet, so the 1820 date you first mentioned looks good to me... for the lock, but not necessarily the gun.

Shelby Gallien

[gibster]

Thanks Shelby. I had noticed the dark wood and that the pan looked to be lower than the side face of the barrel. I had sent him a message earlier to give me a call to discuss this with him, but haven't heard back yet. From this picture, I agree with your thoughts. I appreciate you sharing your opinion.