Sam Hawken and other makers used these locks on Plains rifles, Ohio rifles and late longrifles, during the later percussion era of 1845 to 1885. Thomas Gibbons of St. Louis made and signed many locks.
Note the square inside corner at the front of the lock plate, and the normal narrow percussion hammer, both late features.
Fitted with a fly detent for use with set triggers. A swivel link with integral pins hooks into the cut-away tumbler arm, to allow simple disassembly. Beware: the link must not be installed backwards, or the link and mainspring will be broken on first use. The small diameter pin hooks into cut-away tumbler arm, and “S” orientation allows essential mainspring clearance. Don’t break it! Plate is finished bright inside and out. Cut the plate for the drum or patent breech. Fit a thin card pattern to the breech, trace it to the lock plate, file to fit. It is easier than it sounds. The hammer has a 1.625” throw, for use with octagon barrels from 13/16” to 1-1/8” at the breech. This left hand S. Hawken cap lock exactly matches our right hand lock, for use on double rifles.
This lock exactly matches our right hand Sam Hawkenpercussion lock.
This lock is shown at exact-full-size, in Track's new catalog for gunmakers and gunsmiths.
