Unusual Percussion Lock

Hi All

I found this lock on the Internet and purchased it primarily for my lock collection. It is unmarked, but certainly appears European. The lock was made with a seperate drum and mipple. While nipple protectors were not unusual, this one pivots on an external spring similar to a frizzen on a flintlock. There is no evidence the lock was ever originally converted from flint. Never seen one like this.
The lock would clean up to be usable, but the mainspring is broke with the rear portion missing. I could get lucky and find a commercially available mainspring that would fit. But otherwise would have to have one made.
Actually, I can't think of a gun this lock would look "right" mounted. :haha: Maybe a percussion style Jager hunting rifle (?).
But anyway, it's an interesting addition to a lock collection. Unusual, never seen another. Just thought you guys would like to see it.

Rick

That is interesting and I can see why you would add it to a collection. Unusual safety device.

Hi Ricky,
I think it is either a German or Austrian military conversion lock. As such the original flint lock on the gun can be taken out and the new lock mounted with no other work needed on the gun barrel.

dave

Ive seen some photos of similar looking locks on German styled Schuetzen rifles and target rifles. Dont know much about them, thought they were made that way to act as a safety of some sort. Interesting to say the least, nice find.

Austrians and Germans were big on safety mechanisms other than just a half cock notch. I had an 1841 Hamoverian cavalry pistol that had a cross bolt safety through the hook breach than stuck a pin through the lock plate to keep the hammer from falling. The 1861 Lorenz pistols from Austria utilized a lever that when turned up, prevented hammer fall. I have always been amazed that neither Americans or Brits used such a system.

Very interesting.... :thumbsup:

The Rifle Shoppe carries castings for a similar styled lock, they call it a late German Jager percussion lock with nipple safety arm.

Hi Dave

You may be right about this. The overall lock dimensions are closer to musket size than rifle. Thanks.

Rick

Hi David

Yes, I saw that one also in their catalog. What caught my eye with this one is the spring for the nipple protector being externally mounted. That, and the overall size makes me think that Dave P.'s analysis above is a likely reason for the design of this one.

Thanks again for everyone's response.

Rick

This is an old thread, but I found it while searching for something else. By coincidence, I had recently seen something related.

This is a straight-grooved rifle carried by Prince Maximilian during his travels in North America in 1832-1834. It is still in existence, I think most likely with a collector in California:



Here is a close-up of the lock. That swing-arm nipple protector is described as a "Prussian safety":



The first time I saw one of these, it was on a percussion continental (maybe French?) dueling pistol in a museum in Pensacola. I thought it was a clever conversion from flintlock, but I suppose now it may have been purpose-built that way. In any, event, this type of safety looks like a good idea.

For more on Maximilian's rifle and his travel in North America, check this link: German Hunting Guns: Royal Hunts & Hunters

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

Amazing!