Inspired by
early Germanic American gun locks, this lock began life as a piece of 19th
century bridge iron, and piece by piece was forged to shape and filed to final
fit. All of the parts except for the springs are wrought iron (the grain
still visible in the lockplate). The springs were forged from 1084, which
is our best estimate as to what 18th century tool steel may have been similar
to. The frizzen, typically referred to as a steel or battery in period
texts, is also wrought, as study has shown many originals to have been forged
of iron, and deeply case hardened for outstanding sparking.
It is
difficult to estimate time in the Williamsburg gun shop, but this lock took
approximately 5 months of shop time, including engaging with guests and making
other small side projects. This will go on one of the next rifles to
emerge from the Colonial Williamsburg gun shop.
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