Need help with ID of relic flintlock mechanism - The Firearms Forum

Sacmo52 · 08-29-2012, 07:32 PM

Greetings. This is my first post with the Firearms Forum. I have had this flintlock assembly, (if that is the correct term?) for 30 years. I have seem similar that let me believe it is from a pistol based on its design and size. In my many attempts to identify it I have not been fortunate enough to do so.
The piece is functional in that it is not rust frozen and the flint screw moves freely and the striker and spring move freely.
There is very nice engraving on the plate and what appears to be a maker's nae of A V? Walton, Charleston followed by what seems to read patented on the bottom. I will post a photo with this thread. If anyone can help I would be grateful.
I hope I did this correctly.
regards,
Steven

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RJay · 08-29-2012, 11:26 PM

Very few gunsmiths in the age of flint build rifles from scratch. They would buy a ready made lock, perhaps from a catalog, barrels from another source, or they might even make his own barrels but almost always the lock was from a specialty maker. They then would build a rifle or pistol. You've already identified what you have, a lock made by A.V. Walton. There may be contributor's who have the reference that can tell you the time frame that this maker was in business. But, if you are looking to identify what firearm it was attached too, well , I think you have problems. Many times these locks were reused several times before they were retired. It may have been on a number of different firearms.

jack404 · 08-29-2012, 11:44 PM

and if'n your looking to sell it , it may find another rifle to be mounted , maybe even in Australia

its a nice looking lock and not a lot to get functional compared to many

i'm more up on british and colonial makers , sorry but if you wish to sell let me know ..

rhmc24 · 08-30-2012, 06:29 AM

In my several books on gunmakers, no Walton in the US and only two in England but those of earlier period. Looks like an English lock after 1800. It may be a dealer's name who ordered locks made in England.

Sacmo52 · 08-30-2012, 07:00 AM

Good info from the three of you. Thanks. Not sure what its value would be Jack. not feeling too stupid or depraved though.
;>)

jack404 · 08-30-2012, 07:10 AM

i'll offer $160 and USPS costs to Oz i'll charge it out at $250-270 after resto ( between $55-85 and time ) in a period repro flinter for someone here

its quite a nice looking piece and would suit a primate lifestyler

you could restore it yourself , and get similar sale dollars there (250-270) there , maybe more , you've a bigger market

Jim K · 08-30-2012, 02:17 PM

With the single neck cock, it probably dates to before 1800, though that is not an absolute. Many makers kept making old-fashioned locks even after others had gone to more modern ones.

Jim

Buffalochip · 08-30-2012, 03:13 PM

The fact that it is marked "patented" places it sometime after 1790. So, given the single-neck cock and the patent mark, it is probably c. 1795-1800.

08-29-2012, 07:32 PM	#1
Sacmo52 Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Easley, SC Posts: 2	Need help with ID of relic flintlock mechanism Greetings. This is my first post with the Firearms Forum. I have had this flintlock assembly, (if that is the correct term?) for 30 years. I have seem similar that let me believe it is from a pistol based on its design and size. In my many attempts to identify it I have not been fortunate enough to do so. The piece is functional in that it is not rust frozen and the flint screw moves freely and the striker and spring move freely. There is very nice engraving on the plate and what appears to be a maker's nae of A V? Walton, Charleston followed by what seems to read patented on the bottom. I will post a photo with this thread. If anyone can help I would be grateful. I hope I did this correctly. regards, Steven [/IMG] -->

08-29-2012, 11:26 PM	#2
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: Need help with ID of relic flintlock mechanism Very few gunsmiths in the age of flint build rifles from scratch. They would buy a ready made lock, perhaps from a catalog, barrels from another source, or they might even make his own barrels but almost always the lock was from a specialty maker. They then would build a rifle or pistol. You've already identified what you have, a lock made by A.V. Walton. There may be contributor's who have the reference that can tell you the time frame that this maker was in business. But, if you are looking to identify what firearm it was attached too, well , I think you have problems. Many times these locks were reused several times before they were retired. It may have been on a number of different firearms. __________________ RonJames

08-29-2012, 11:44 PM	#3
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: Need help with ID of relic flintlock mechanism and if'n your looking to sell it , it may find another rifle to be mounted , maybe even in Australia its a nice looking lock and not a lot to get functional compared to many i'm more up on british and colonial makers , sorry but if you wish to sell let me know ..

08-30-2012, 06:29 AM	#4
rhmc24 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ardmore, OK Posts: 525	Re: Need help with ID of relic flintlock mechanism In my several books on gunmakers, no Walton in the US and only two in England but those of earlier period. Looks like an English lock after 1800. It may be a dealer's name who ordered locks made in England.

08-30-2012, 07:00 AM	#5
Sacmo52 Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Easley, SC Posts: 2	Re: Need help with ID of relic flintlock mechanism Good info from the three of you. Thanks. Not sure what its value would be Jack. not feeling too stupid or depraved though. ;>)

08-30-2012, 07:10 AM	#6
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: Need help with ID of relic flintlock mechanism i'll offer $160 and USPS costs to Oz i'll charge it out at $250-270 after resto ( between $55-85 and time ) in a period repro flinter for someone here its quite a nice looking piece and would suit a primate lifestyler you could restore it yourself , and get similar sale dollars there (250-270) there , maybe more , you've a bigger market Last edited by jack404; 08-30-2012 at 07:16 AM..

08-30-2012, 02:17 PM	#7
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Need help with ID of relic flintlock mechanism With the single neck cock, it probably dates to before 1800, though that is not an absolute. Many makers kept making old-fashioned locks even after others had gone to more modern ones. Jim

08-30-2012, 03:13 PM	#8
Buffalochip Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 754	Re: Need help with ID of relic flintlock mechanism The fact that it is marked "patented" places it sometime after 1790. So, given the single-neck cock and the patent mark, it is probably c. 1795-1800.