Unusual repro Richmond high hump lock plate

I picked up this built up repro Richmond musket to add to a display I do in the National Park Service. The story is that it was built by Lodgwood for an N-SSA shooter. It's not pretty, but is solid and serviceable. I pulled the lock to clean and inspect it. I was pretty surprised by how pitted the back side of the lock is. Clearly the front has been cleaned and stamped. The back looks quite old and very pitted. I'm under no illusions that this is an original Richmond lock plate. It was suggested that Lodgwood may have made this from a Whitney high hump unfinished lock plate. That seems like a real possibility. What do you guys think?

I think it is nice!

Yes, I like it. Kind of surprising to see the inside of the lock plate, not that it's function is compromised, but I have pulled locks off of very old unmentionable Trapdoors that looked brand new inside, but much patina on the outside of the plate.

Well I don't think I know anything about who or why or how anyone made it, but I like "not pretty" rifles like that very much. I'd take something like that hunting, and be proud of it.

Looks similar to my Armi-Sport Richmond. I like it so much I may get the Pedersoli (Euroarms) version too.

Man, you just can't beat the hammer on the '61, or Richmond, for cool-factor. I debated long and hard whether to get a '61, or an Enfield/P53, but that too cool hammer made the final decision. I have not regretted it.

I think my next dream rifle would be to get another '61, or a Richmond, have it cut down to a 2-band rifle, then send it off and have it re-bored to .62" with round ball rifling.

Weren't those locks retro-fitted on originals when the Maynard-tape ignition system was discontinued from military use, and so they replaced the Maynard locks on the originals?

LD

The College Hill website has a good summary of the Whitney High Hump and use of the unfinished lock plates. I'm thinking that this could have been a crusty leftover Whitney plate that someone sent to Lodgwood. They ground the outer face smooth and stamped it as CS Richmond. Funny thing is, these Whitney lockplates are probably rarer than a Richmond.

https://collegehillarsenal.com/Whitney-High-Hump-M185561-Variant-Rifle-Musket-Very-Rare

Loyalist Dave said:

Weren't those locks retro-fitted on originals when the Maynard-tape ignition system was discontinued from military use, and so they replaced the Maynard locks on the originals?

LD

Click to expand...

The Maynard tape primed arms retained their locks till the end of their service life and beyond.