Need Help Reading Lock Plate

Soupent11 · 01-01-2011, 10:46 AM

I need help reading the name on a lock plate of a muzzleloader. It is a half- stock percussion cap, built by SG & AJ Southerland of Ann Arbor, probably around 1842-1855.

The inscription is shown in the attached picture. The second (?) letter is a W, and the last letter is an S. The last three letters might be IES or ILS. Is this the name of the lockmaker?

Thanks.

flintlock · 01-01-2011, 02:22 PM

It looks like there may be an "E" before the "W". At that time gunmakers had many ready built and/or imported lock available for use. Sorry I can't offer any better insight.

Soupent11 · 01-02-2011, 09:35 AM

Thanks.

Are there lists of lockmakers that I could compare this inscription to?

Soupent11 · 01-17-2011, 01:09 PM

Based on the picture here:
http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=65319

and here:
http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/att...-p8263046a.jpg

and this auction Lot #277 that shows a Spies/Southerland llink:
http://www.proxibid.com/asp/Catalog....catalog&sort=0

I would now guess that the inscription said "A.W. SPIES". Thanks to all who looked and gave it some thought.

01-01-2011, 10:46 AM	#1
Soupent11 Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 3	Need Help Reading Lock Plate I need help reading the name on a lock plate of a muzzleloader. It is a half- stock percussion cap, built by SG & AJ Southerland of Ann Arbor, probably around 1842-1855. The inscription is shown in the attached picture. The second (?) letter is a W, and the last letter is an S. The last three letters might be IES or ILS. Is this the name of the lockmaker? Thanks. Attached Images -->

01-02-2011, 09:35 AM	#3
Soupent11 Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 3	Re: Need Help Reading Lock Plate Thanks. Are there lists of lockmakers that I could compare this inscription to?

01-17-2011, 01:09 PM	#4
Soupent11 Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 3	Re: Need Help Reading Lock Plate Based on the picture here: http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=65319 and here: http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/att...-p8263046a.jpg and this auction Lot #277 that shows a Spies/Southerland llink: http://www.proxibid.com/asp/Catalog....catalog&sort=0 I would now guess that the inscription said "A.W. SPIES". Thanks to all who looked and gave it some thought.

01-01-2011, 02:22 PM	#2
flintlock Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Upstate NY Contributor Posts: 896	Re: Need Help Reading Lock Plate It looks like there may be an "E" before the "W". At that time gunmakers had many ready built and/or imported lock available for use. Sorry I can't offer any better insight.