J.Brazier lock.

[ResearchPress]

I have a Whitworth grade 1 Lock which I might be interested in selling. The Lock is the spare lock sold with rifle no. 867 I was told when I purchased it from a London Gun maker, it was supposed to have been the lock sold with a rifle to be used by the confederate army as a long range snipers rifle, I took it with a pinch of salt thinking it was probably a load of sales rubbish, but it's the best percussion lock I have ever seen....

Beautiful lock. Although Whitworth rifles did see use in the American Civil War, not with locks of this type. The few rifles exported, or at least that got through the blockades, were very plain. Effectively 'budget target rifles'. There would be no point in spending money on finely engraved locks, so right to take that note with 'a pinch of salt'.

David

[Fronteria]

Beautiful lock. Although Whitworth rifles did see use in the American Civil War, not with locks of this type. The few rifles exported, or at least that got through the blockades, were very plain. Effectively 'budget target rifles'. There would be no point in spending money on finely engraved locks, so right to take that note with 'a pinch of salt'.

David

I purchased the lock from Tom Collins of the The Southern Armoury Ltd. 171 New Kent Road, a relation of his Lewis Collins was a very well known actor at the time, appearing in the professionals a popular TV programme.
At the time in the 1960's you could buy a cased Enfield No. 4 Sniper rifle complete with it's scope for £35-00 from the Southern Armoury Ltd, I couldn't afford a sniper rifle but I had to have the Whitworth Lock, when you purchased anything from Tom you needed to take a good helping of Saxor Salt, but most of the time you left his shop with a smile on your face, even if you had been well and truly tucked up!!!