Blunderbuss Restoration

[Loyer]

Hello. I just had this delivered in the mail. Bought it as a restoration project but there is an oddity I have never come across in any other antique musket.
The lock (not provided) seems to be secured by only one bolt. There is some sort of detail inside the stock cavity that I guess must hold a nut or such.

I think by the size of the ignition hole it was converted to percussion. Also the butt plate is flat brass sheet, not cast like most British muskets. The wooden stock is massive.

Any experience in this oddity ? Also are these Birmingham proofs on the brass barrel ? Would a Tower Brown Bess lock be appropriate for this gun (I am guessing it is English) ?

This is also posted on the British Forum

 

[tiriaq]

There would have been a hook on the inside of the front of the lockplate which would have engaged the head of the screw set in the front of the lock inlet. Loosen off the screw and tap the head to start the lock out of the inlet, pivoting around the front hook. Remove the screw and lock.
The proofs are post 1813 Birmingham.
A Brown Bess lock is some 7" long. A Carbine/fusil sized lock is about 6". Sporting gun locks would tend to be shorter, closer to 5".
The hook and single screw system suggests to me that a musket sized lock would be too big. These would invariably have two screws. A hundred years earlier three were common.
Locks on working guns tended to be rather generic, although hardly interchangeable.
You might be able to find an original flintlock, or percussion conversion lock that could be reconverted to flint. If a 6" lock might work, you could consider a reproduction Trade Gun lock.
The photo shows a couple of reproduction Indian Trade gun locks which are in the 6" category. A lock like that might be appropriate for the gun if of the correct size.
If the gun used a small lock, you have many more choices. Kibler's late Ketland lock comes to mind.
But it will all depend on the length of the inlet..

 

[Loyer]

Thanks Tiriaq.

The existing "tip to front" of the wooden stock's lock opening is exactly 7" .

In my case, that small slot head at the front of the lock opening (pic #2 above) would be enough to hold the front of the lock ?

 

[tiriaq]

Pretty sure that is why it is there.
7" is a musket sized lock. Perhaps a Bess lock could be adapted. It would be the appropriate style. I believe TRS sells the castings.

 

[flintyboom]

The screw in the lock mortise is there to secure a hook that would've been on the front portion of the lock.

 

[SA85M1]

Tagged for.. interest..I like seeing restorations...