✅ SOLVED ...no clue. Found near an old 'War of 1812' outpost. Trigger assembly?

[mk4125]

I found this buried along the shores of Lake Michigan (tip of the lower peninsula)...it was buried down to the point that I could barely pick up a signal. It appears to be a trigger assembly but none that I would ever recognize. The parts all appear to be made out of steel - not all that sure though.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

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[Mud Hut]

Looks like an old flintlock mechanism.

 

[Beezly]

Nice! That's a keeper for sure! Congratulations

 

[mk4125]

Looks like an old flintlock mechanism.

I believe you are correct...definitely looks like one!!. I wonder how many types there were..seems like it would be impossible to figure out the time era. hmmmm.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

It is definitely a flint lock lock plate, good find! Can you take a better lit pic of the non mechanism side with a size reference? From what I'm seeing it could very well be a Brown Bess lock, which would have been in use during the war.

 

[DirtyPockects]

Nice looking old Flint lock

 

[mk4125]

Camera is charging so will take a clear pic of the opposite side... I believe you are absolutely correct about it being a Brown Bess. I looked up and it's identical!

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Going off the shape of the tumbler, in the red circle, I'm fairly sure your lock plate is from a Brown Bess musket. The tumbler is a match to a first pattern musket, I haven't looked to see if the design changed on later models. If it didn't, which I imagine it stayed pretty much the same your lock could be as old as 1722, and as late as the War of 1812, I would imagine it will be on the later end of that time frame though. It's a great relic for sure, and I would definitely hunt that area pretty hard to see if any other pieces might turn up.

 

[l.cutler]

Nice find. Can you take some measurements, the length and width of the plate?

 

[mk4125]

 

[mk4125]

Well...After 2 days sitting in the tank I am surprised to see 'BURNETT 1804' on the plate...Along with a manufacturers mark I believe. Can I assume Burnett is a person?

 

[mk4125]

 

[mk4125]

Length is 6 1/4". Width is 1".

 

[ecmo]

Congrats on a real cool artifact, dated and everything. How cool is that!

Don

 

[GopherDaGold]

Awesome find! Pound that site!

 

[l.cutler]

OK, it looks like a lock off a Northwest trade gun, I think that mark by the frizzen is a sitting fox, a sure mark of a Northwest trade gun made for trade with the Indians.

 

[coloradocav1]

my friend I think that is from a Barnett trade gun!!! fur trade, go back and look for the serpent sideplate. I found a serpent side plate out west here years ago.

 

[NHBandit]

That's in amazing condition for being in the ground for 200 years. Your dirt in your area is very kind to metal

 

[mk4125]

Ha! It's amazing how a person can see what they want to see. I was reading "BURNETT" (assuming the "U" was obstructed)...my 9 year old daughter picks it up and says "Who is B.R.NUTT?". Dang if she isn't right...some quick research online and found a "Benjamin Robert Nutt" that would vacation in the local area. No more trusting my own eyes apparantely.

 

[mk4125]

I am going to research and compare...very possible!