Original locks

Thought I 'd pass along something that came as a bit of a shock to me and which may be of interested to those seeking a pre flintlock Lock.

Came into possession of a some recent auction house catalogues from the UK. While I do not have the realized price list the catalogues were filled with locks (from well respected and published collections)and the estimated sale price range.
I was very surprised at the prices- ex. A 17th century German wheelock plain in useable condition AND an engraved matching modern repro 1000USD :shocked2: And the list goes on. What I am saying is that the price of a modern casting set and a decent assmebly job seems to cost the same plus/minus as an original. :idunno:

Myself I feel like a bit of a fool cause this spring I could have bought Left and right hand C Manton locks attached to a stock and barrels for less then I paid for two not so great L&R bailes locks.

If you are contemplating a Miquelet, toe lock, matchlock, snaphaunce build it might be well worth it to do some research on the feasibilty of using an original lock. If you can live with a previously mounted 19th century example it is shocking how nice a lock you can own for cheap, if you want to dabble in fine 17th-18th century stuff it is more cake but still affordable considering you can get something back out of it in 50 years while a modern casting set lock will likely be worth not much.

That said a current manufacture lock from Poland
trumps em all and I suspect is priced not based on labor/material/profit but on what a useable OEM lock costs.

Not saying every old affordable lock is worthy of use or admiration but if you can buy a lock previously owned by Goodings for 200-500 bucks the same lock from TRS or Blackeys seems like a less attractive option. Something to consider anyway.

ddoyle,

You are absolutely correct. I recently purchased two Spanish Miquelet locks (original) for less than the cost of a TRS replica. Making them from rough castings takes 50+ man-hours and they never look quite right. Now, I am searching for an original Turkish or Balkan miquelet lock that is functional and relatively inexpensive.

Hi Ddoyle.

So, both you and Curator have noticed this also. It actually surprised me a few years ago that there were that many different, original locks for sale. And many at reasonable prices. I've been able to pick up so many locks I don't know how many I have, LOL
Most of them Eastern locks. But others also. Some were not complete, but purchased as "parts" locks.
But you're right, there are many more available than I had originally imagined.
Also, since the earlier type locks were forgings versus castings, they tend to take to repairs easier. Just my experience.
A little while back, I picked up an original 1864 Springfield lock that looked as though it was never mounted to a gun for $125.00. Still had about 40% of the case color on the hammer. didn't need it, but couldn't pass it up for my collection.
Personally, I don't see anything wrong with building a gun using an original lock of some type.
Unless it's something rare or unusual.
There is currently an original wheellock on the well known consumer sight, and a couple more on the best known gun auction site. Although what I have noticed with most of the wheellock plates for sale they are from the latter "sporting" period of the 1700's when using these locks on hunting guns was a fad in Europe. Still, if your building a wheellock, it's an option.

Curator: Are you looking for a shoulder gun size or a pistol lock size ? If you PM me, I'll see what I have. I know exactly the style of lock you are looking for. I'll see what I have that's usable - and what I'm willing to part with. LOL

Rick