Wheel locks - The Firearms Forum

Maximilian II · 06-07-2009, 04:45 AM

So, I'm a medieval history nut. And a firearms nut. (Sounds like an AA meeting.)
I just wanted to know if anyone here has experience with some of the (much) older black powder firearms like cannon-lock, wheel lock, and snaphaunce actions. I found a site a while back (Google "The Rifle Shoppe") that offered kits and parts for these. I lust for these but have neither the gunsmith experience nor the budget to attempt a build.

ampaterry · 06-07-2009, 06:37 AM

Hi.
I'm Terry, and I am a gun nut.
LOL!
A flintlock pistol is as far back as I have personal experience with.
But I am with you; I would really enjoy firing on older system! The noticeable delay experienced in a flintlock would be even greater, I suspect, in the older systems, so they would be a real challenge!

jjmitchell60 · 06-07-2009, 03:06 PM

I mainly shoot flint locks BUT have had the good fortune to have shot firelocks.matchlocks and wheel locks. Of the 2 a match lock (many refer to them as fire locks) are easiest to build and a novice who can do ANY wood working should be able to build one. Now a Wheellock is a horse of a different color. They take as much wood working experience as fl;inters and other fire arms to build. NOW if you want to build one, they come in kits as you stated BUT to build the wheel lock system from scratch is for VERY experienced since back in the day it took experienced wacth makers to make the wheel locl assembly itself. IF really interested in pre0flint lock firearms, check mout
http://www.nmlra.org
They have some article on wheel locks and match locks from time to time.

Maximilian II · 06-09-2009, 04:17 PM

http://www.therifleshoppe.com/
Is the site I'm familiar with. Check out the "Hand Gonne."

Thanks for that link, jj. I like black powder (traditional). That looks like a good site.

Twaits · 07-14-2009, 05:56 PM

Here's a link for a downloadable pdf file with all of the plans for building one.
If you can find someone with the machinery to make these parts this would be the way to go:

http://thedisease.net/functions.php?...lock_Plans.pdf

Maximilian II · 07-14-2009, 11:33 PM

Oh, now that is just awesome!
Oddly enough,I'm an ex-sheet metal worker with plans to get a machinist's tech degree and gunsmith certification. Also a medieval historian who loves to use vacations to "live the history."
Guess what I'll be doing as soon as I can?
Thanks!

Twaits · 07-15-2009, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximilian II

Oh, now that is just awesome!
Oddly enough,I'm an ex-sheet metal worker with plans to get a machinist's tech degree and gunsmith certification. Also a medieval historian who loves to use vacations to "live the history."
Guess what I'll be doing as soon as I can?
Thanks!

If you do start making one of these you should photo document your progress and post in a thread here. That would be very interesting!
Good luck!

TranterUK · 07-15-2009, 07:35 AM

Over here you can buy kits of old guns, including, flint, wheel and match locks. I am sure you can get the same in the States.

Twaits · 07-15-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TranterUK

Over here you can buy kits of old guns, including, flint, wheel and match locks. I am sure you can get the same in the States.

They still let you guys have wheelocks over there? Isn't the government afraid of crazed citizens running around shooting each other with wheel locks?

TranterUK · 07-15-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twaits

They still let you guys have wheelocks over there? Isn't the government afraid of crazed citizens running around shooting each other with wheel locks?

Sadly, only with an police issued licence. They count as firearms and have to follow the same rules as a centre fire rifle, right down to being kept in an approved steel safe. Quite ridiculous I know, but apparently it helps reduce crime, so that's all right then.

Maximilian II · 07-22-2009, 02:52 AM

Trust me fellas, if I can EVER get to this level of skill I'll give a tutorial or at least a step-by-step of what I do. If I thought I was close I'd have already have ordered a wheellock kit from TRS.
I do love Rube Goldberg kinda engineering after all.

06-07-2009, 04:45 AM	#1
Maximilian II Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northwest GA Posts: 1,381	Wheel locks So, I'm a medieval history nut. And a firearms nut. (Sounds like an AA meeting.) I just wanted to know if anyone here has experience with some of the (much) older black powder firearms like cannon-lock, wheel lock, and snaphaunce actions. I found a site a while back (Google "The Rifle Shoppe") that offered kits and parts for these. I lust for these but have neither the gunsmith experience nor the budget to attempt a build. __________________ Karma is just justice, without the satisfaction. And I don't believe in justice. -Joe Sarno, bagman. -->

06-07-2009, 06:37 AM	#2
ampaterry TFF Admin Staff Chaplain Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: West Tennessee Contributor Posts: 6,269	Re: Wheel locks Hi. I'm Terry, and I am a gun nut. LOL! A flintlock pistol is as far back as I have personal experience with. But I am with you; I would really enjoy firing on older system! The noticeable delay experienced in a flintlock would be even greater, I suspect, in the older systems, so they would be a real challenge! __________________ A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders. Larry Elder

06-07-2009, 03:06 PM	#3
jjmitchell60 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Raised in Buzzard Roost near Frog Town in hillls of Kentucky Contributor Posts: 1,471	Re: Wheel locks I mainly shoot flint locks BUT have had the good fortune to have shot firelocks.matchlocks and wheel locks. Of the 2 a match lock (many refer to them as fire locks) are easiest to build and a novice who can do ANY wood working should be able to build one. Now a Wheellock is a horse of a different color. They take as much wood working experience as fl;inters and other fire arms to build. NOW if you want to build one, they come in kits as you stated BUT to build the wheel lock system from scratch is for VERY experienced since back in the day it took experienced wacth makers to make the wheel locl assembly itself. IF really interested in pre0flint lock firearms, check mout http://www.nmlra.org They have some article on wheel locks and match locks from time to time. __________________ Oath Keepers NOT ON OUR WATCH www.oathkeepers.org 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." -- Benjamin Franklin When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes Duty... Thomas Jefferson

06-09-2009, 04:17 PM	#4
Maximilian II Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northwest GA Posts: 1,381	Re: Wheel locks http://www.therifleshoppe.com/ Is the site I'm familiar with. Check out the "Hand Gonne." Thanks for that link, jj. I like black powder (traditional). That looks like a good site. __________________ Karma is just justice, without the satisfaction. And I don't believe in justice. -Joe Sarno, bagman.

07-14-2009, 05:56 PM	#5
Twaits V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Windham Posts: 71	Re: Wheel locks Here's a link for a downloadable pdf file with all of the plans for building one. If you can find someone with the machinery to make these parts this would be the way to go: http://thedisease.net/functions.php?...lock_Plans.pdf

07-14-2009, 11:33 PM	#6
Maximilian II Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northwest GA Posts: 1,381	Re: Wheel locks Oh, now that is just awesome! Oddly enough,I'm an ex-sheet metal worker with plans to get a machinist's tech degree and gunsmith certification. Also a medieval historian who loves to use vacations to "live the history." Guess what I'll be doing as soon as I can? Thanks! __________________ Karma is just justice, without the satisfaction. And I don't believe in justice. -Joe Sarno, bagman.

07-15-2009, 07:35 AM	#8
TranterUK Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 5,103	Re: Wheel locks Over here you can buy kits of old guns, including, flint, wheel and match locks. I am sure you can get the same in the States. __________________ DVC - Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas - Accuracy, Power, Speed. The light at the end of the recession tunnel IS a train coming the other way!

07-22-2009, 02:52 AM	#11
Maximilian II Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northwest GA Posts: 1,381	Re: Wheel locks Trust me fellas, if I can EVER get to this level of skill I'll give a tutorial or at least a step-by-step of what I do. If I thought I was close I'd have already have ordered a wheellock kit from TRS. I do love Rube Goldberg kinda engineering after all. __________________ Karma is just justice, without the satisfaction. And I don't believe in justice. -Joe Sarno, bagman.