Blunderbuss lock plate?

[sorahc]

I found this lock plate today near a 17th century house. I've included a CS Richmond lock plate for comparison. The one I found today is huge and in surprisingly good condition..

 

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[birdman]

Not sure what is is from but it is way awesome.

 

[smokeythecat]

Flintlock or wheel lock? Looks late 17th to mid 18th century.

 

[wvwildman]

nice finds congrats HH

 

[l.cutler]

It is a doglock plate. The piece to the rear is the dog, it swivels and hooks into a notch on the hammer acting like a safety. It is a very early plate, but no way to know if it is to a blunderbuss. Blunderbuss were mostly used on ships or moving wagons, the belled muzzle was to aid in loading when on a moving ship or wagon. More likely to an early musket or trade gun they were all much more common than the blunderbuss. That is one big lock!

 

[sorahc]

Thanks, I.cutler. The site I'm hunting is about a mile from a large river so it's conceivable that it came from a naval gun. And thanks for explaining the need for the bell shape on a blunderbuss barrel. Makes a lot of sense.

 

[sorahc]

Smokeythecat, it's a flintlock.

 

[sorahc]

 

[sorahc]

The image above is after I cleaned it. Turned out really nice.

 

[hamiddetecting]

 

[sorahc]

Here's an original.

 

[Curious The George]

That large it could be for a punt gun.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

That large it could be for a punt gun.

Almost definitely for a punt gun, there's sme good video of them on youtube