Please Help I.D. Flintlock Parts

[Driftwoood]

I found this flintlock lock plate along with the screw that holds the jaw in place (need to look further for any remaining parts) during a recent excursion and was wondering if anyone might be able to date the piece (even roughly) or give any information at all. I’m currently doing research on the possible owner, but don’t expect to find much, as these were mostly folks who lived and farmed in some remote hills of a remote countryside, so any info would be helpful. My time spent detecting the site was limited, but I expect to go back soon for a better look around and should find some more items.

Here's a photo of both sides of the lock plate... cleaning it a bit, I noticed there's still a bit of fancy engraved on it.


This is a closer photo that also shows (what I believe must be) the jaw screw.


Thanks for looking! Happy Hunting to you all!

 

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[pearson]

Look up enfield p1853

 

[nsdq]

Queen Ann style lock mid to late 1700s

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

M1853 was percussion.

Dimensions would help. Pistol or rifle?

Looks to be Early Pennsylvania style, possibly 1780 . . . ish. I don't see a bridle for the frizzen. Cock it too delicate for military (like a Bess or Charleville). Very possibly a Pennsylvania rifle lock. The rounder face (as opposed to flat) cock and veining around the edge of the plate and cock is a British/Colonial feature.

BUT - it looks like the pan was a separate part (because it is absent below the frizzen) . That's a French feature.

If it were a top-jaw screw it would either be slotted on top or have a hole for a leverage tool - or both. I don't see either.

 

[l.cutler]

I think it may be a fowler lock. It looks too "English" to me to be a Pennsylvania style rifle lock, and the engraving looks right to be a fowler.

 

[Driftwoood]

Charlie, yeah the pan seems to have been separate. I'll try and give dimensions. From end to end, it is 6.1"... from top to bottom (without the frizzen and cock), it is 1.2" at the widest point... the frizzen is .9" wide and 1.8" tall. I hope that helps a bit.

 

[Driftwoood]

Thanks for the replies, fellas! Now I have a few things to look up.

 

[Driftwoood]

I don't know why I didn't think to put this up sooner, but here is a photo of the found piece next to my T/C Hawken .50CAL Flintlock. It seems to be beefier in some respects and more delicate in others. I really don't know how historically accurate a representation the new rifle is, but it should at least give a good reference. Tell me what you think. (edit: BTW, I tried to get the two plates lined up in the picture in the same depth of field, because I know photos can play size tricks on you... so, they are pretty close to being on the same plane)

 

[nsdq]

The frizzen is there , the pan is not,

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Possibly a fowling piece lock (Here's mine - a recent version I use for deer and small game hunting).

But note the spring lever on his frizzen is flattened side-to-side (a later feature - early 1800's) while it is unbridled (an early feature). May be a replacement frizzen(?)

 

[Driftwoood]

Possibly a fowling piece lock (Here's mine - a recent version I use for deer and small game hunting).

But note the spring lever on his frizzen is flattened side-to-side (a later feature - early 1800's) while it is unbridled (an early feature). May be a replacement frizzen(?)

Charlie, I'm not seeing the photo in your post... hope I'm not being stupid and just overlooking something...

 

[pearson]

How old is yours Charlie??

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I'm seeing it(?) It's an Imgur link.

Mine's seven years old. It's a 16 bore made by Mike Brooks. 42" barrel and seven pounds (if you know muzzleloaders that is nicely light).

 

[l.cutler]

I've got a Mike Brooks type G trade gun!

 

[pearson]

Nice

 

[Driftwoood]

Ah, now I see it. It's a beauty! I'm going back to the site tomorrow and hope to find more parts... just have to dig every dang piece of iron out of there.