Thread: ancient percussion lock identification

Cats have nine lives-which makes them ideal for experimentation...

that is so not politically correct. i am not offended in any way.

I bumped into a Charleville flintlock service musket recently and it reminded me about this post.
When I reviewed it I realised I never updated the final answer as to what this lock was.

I finally confirmed with the French Navy that this is a Charleville 1777 pattern flint lock that was converted to percussion just prior to 1840.

Which tied in nicely with when the French Frigate L'Aube arrived in Akaroa

The French Navy started converting from flint to percussion only a few years prior to 1840.

The L'Aube was known to have flintlock 1777s onboard as well because one is in Te Papa that is reputed to be from that frigate

That is really cool.
So its been there most of the history of the dwelling.
I would be tempted to use electrolisis on it,I did an old P53 lock recently without taking it apart and it worked really well. Acid can leave things looking too "shiny " IMO.
I had early rellies in Akaroa.
Think they were of German origin.

Originally Posted by 2ndSouthCanterbury

That is really cool.
So its been there most of the history of the dwelling.
I would be tempted to use electrolisis on it,I did an old P53 lock recently without taking it apart and it worked really well. Acid can leave things looking too "shiny " IMO.
I had early rellies in Akaroa.
Think they were of German origin.

That's simply not how things are done on these jobs under an archeological authority.
Everything is photographed where found, bagged, tagged, located on a floor plan, written description of where and how found.
Then they go into the system never to be seen again

Then they sit in a drawer forever and no one sees them again.

Greetings @akaroa1,
Relatives of mine on my mothers side lived in Akaroa from 1855. Joseph Deighton was the Policeman, Postmaster and Librarian. They could sure multitask in those days. I am Joseph's first cousin many times removed and his wife, Ellen, was my Aunt also many greats. Yes they were cousins.
I am helping with some planning work on a local hall. The original hall was built in 1877 and it has had many alterations some of which were built by my two times great Uncle on my fathers side. A ten minute chat with Donald the carpenter, as he was called, would clear up a lot of questions. Unfortunately he died in 1917.
Regards Grandpamac.