To answer the initial question, Dunlap does buy his locks directly from us and has been doing that for the past two or three years. Previously, he purchased his locks from one of the many assemblers of Siler locks.
Dennis is correct when he said we use a different hammer screw on the locks we assemble. Rather than being square on top with the flat side bevel we use a domed screw. That is the easiest way to identify a Siler lock that was sold as an assembled lock from us. The only other assembler that uses that special screw is Walter Cain. We allow him to use it because we are proud to stand behind any lock that Walter assembles. The same can't be said for many of the other assemblers.
In addition to Dunlap, we supply assembled locks to the following dealers: Track of the Wolf, Pecatonica, Log Cabin, Dixon's, and some to Troy Rupp. MBS, TVM (both), Dixie Gun Works, Tim Curtis (Frontier Shop), and R.E. Davis Co. purchase kits from us and do their own assembly. We also sell lock kits to hundreds of individuals around the country who like to make their own lock. The castings are all the same quality, but the assembler can make either a silk purse or a sow's ear out of those parts.
L.C. Rice (founder and former owner of L&R Lock Co.) now works for us full time assembling locks and does a fantastic job. In addition, we have Homer Sales, Bob Ray, Tom Simmons, Kyle Ayers, and now Bud Siler himself assembling our locks on a part time basis.
Hope this clears up things and gives an overview of Siler locks.
