Our Lock Models. Click the name to go to the description and specs:
Around 1960 C.E. "Bud" Siler made the first Siler lock by copying a pristine Germanic style lock produced around 1770. From that first effort grew a business that continues to this day to set the standard by which all other locks are judged.
On December 16, 1993 after thirty plus years of superb service, Mr. and Mrs. Siler retired, and Siler Lock Company was sold to Jim Chambers Flintlocks, Ltd. It is our intent to continue supplying gun builders with the same high quality products and services they have grown to expect from the Silers. In addition, we will introduce new locks and continually strive to improve the quality of our products.
Siler locks are well known for their reliability and overall quality. When there is a need for a lock that will give years of trouble-free, dependable service, the only choice is Siler.
We guarantee any castings we sell to be free of defects. We will replace, free of charge, any broken spring that is returned to us. Any lock that we assemble is guaranteed for the life of the original purchaser. Your only cost is the postage to return the unsatisfactory part or lock to us for repair or replacement. The only parts we cannot guarantee are the ones which have been altered or abused. We always welcome your suggestions, comments, or questions.
Assembled Locks
Jim Chambers Flintlocks, Ltd. is proud to offer precision assembled locks for the discriminating gunbuilder or shooter who desires a lock which is a cut above other available locks. Each lock is carefully assembled from the finest carbon steels available and is heat-treated for long, reliable service. All bearing surfaces are polished. Tumbler axles are lathe-turned to exacting dimensions. All bearing holes are drilled undersize and then reamed for extra smoothness. All locks include a fly in the tumbler for use with set triggers. We are now producing several critical functioning parts using the latest CNC technology to ensure the highest quality and consistency. We offer a money-back guarantee if not 100% satisfied.
Lock Kits
The locks that are available in kit form come with complete assembly instructions, including heat-treating instructions that are geared toward the home workshop. All holes to be drilled in the plate are spotted. Drill guides are included to aid you in the accurate location and drilling of the bridle. All springs included in the kit have been professionally hardened and tempered and have been pre-tested. All parts are made of high quality carbon steel designed for relative ease of machining while giving years of tough, wear resistant service when properly heat-treated. Every effort has been made to supply you with the highest quality parts that, when properly assembled, will give you the very best lock available today.
Large Siler Flintlock
(assembled or kit)
Right Hand Lock - Model #L-1
Left Hand Lock - Model #L-8
The original Siler lock is a copy of the Germanic style, hand-forged locks used by gunmakers in the mid-to-late 18th century. This style of lock is commonly found on 1770 to 1790 period rifles made by well-known makers such as Jacob Dickert, Isaac Haines, J.P. Beck, and many others. These locks are also available with a brass (bronze) plate and pan.
Dimensions: 5 1/4" X 1"
Flint Size: 7/8" X 3/4"
Large Siler Percussion
(assembled or kit)
Right Hand Lock - Model #L-2
Left Hand Lock - Model #L-9
As precision ignition came into use, many original flintlocks were converted to this new system. The original lock plate was retained, but the flint hammer, frizzen, and frizzen spring were replaced by a percussion hammer, drum, and nipple. This lock is interchangeable with the above flintlock for those who want an early rifle with the percussion system or a rifle with interchangeable systems. Also available with a brass (bronze) plate.
Dimensions: 5-1/4" x 1"
Drum Size: 1/2"
Small Siler Flintlock
(assembled or kit; right hand only)
Model #L-10
The smaller Siler lock fits the same time period (1770-1790) as the large Siler lock. The smaller size makes this lock ideal for pistols of this period or for smaller rifles. Many competitive shooters consider the small Siler to be the ideal lock: fast and reliable. This lock is also available with a brass (bronze) plate and pan.
Dimensions: 4-3/4" x 7/8"
Flint Size: 3/4" x 5/8"
Small Siler Percussion
(assembled or kit; right hand only)
Model #L-11
This lock is identical to the above flintlock but is made with a percussion plate and hammer. The lock plates are identical in size and are interchangeable. Also available with a brass (bronze) plate.
Dimensions: 4-3/4" x 7/8"
Drum Size: 7/16"
Mountain Style Percussion Lock
(assembled or kit)
Right Hand Lock - Model #L-6
Left Hand Lock - Model #L-7
During the percussion lock era, locks of this type were widely available and were used in a variety of rifles. Mountain, Southern, Plains, Trade, Ohio, and Indian Rifles would all have been made with this lock. In fact, almost any rifle dating from the late 1830's through the end of the nineteenth century could have been made with this style of lock.
Dimensions: 4-3/4"
Early Germanic Flintlock
(assembled only)
(assembled only)
Model #L-5
Several of the best early transitional period (1750-1770) gun makers learned their trade or worked at the Morovian settlement of Christians Spring, Pennsylvania. These artists included William Antes, Jacob Dickert, and the Unknown gunsmith who made the fine rifle carried by Edward Marshall. Some of these gunmakers were trained in Germany and continued to use many of the German details in rifle and lock making. This lock fits the traditional period niche with it's Jaeger-like features. Anyone considering making a Jaeger or a transitional period rifle or Fowler of the 1750-1770 period would find this lock ideal. As with all our locks, it is fast and reliable.
Dimensions: 5-3/4" x 1-1/16"
Flint Size: 7/8" x 3/4"
Golden Age Flintlock
(assembled only)
Model #L-3
This lock is of the same period (1770-1790) and style as the original Siler Flintlock. However, several changes have been made: the lock plate is longer and has a slimmer tail for good wrist architecture; the taller hammer enables the flint to scrape more of the frizzen face for more sparks; and the tumbler is engineered to give a long throw and a cam-type action. These features, along with bearing surfaces on both tumbler axles, make this lock very fast--and more importantly--very consistent from shot to shot. The sear remains in the same position throughout the cocking stages allowing a single trigger to be snugged up tight and rattle free.
Dimensions:5-9/16" x 15/16"
Flint Size: 7/8" x 3/4"
Golden Age Percussion Lock
(assembled only)
Model #L-4
In the 19th Century many flintlocks were converted to percussion ignition. The easiest way to do this was to remove the flint components, cut off the front portion of the pan, enlarge the pan area to accept a drum and nipple, and install a percussion hammer. This is exactly what we've done with this lock. The plate and internal parts are interchangeable with the flintlock above.
Dimensions: 5-9/16" x 15/16"
Drum Size: 1/2"
Colonial Virginia Flintlock
(assembled only)
Model #L-14
During the 1740's, 50's and 60's, locks of this type were made in England and exported to America. These locks were used throughout the Colonies particularly on rifles, fowlers, trade guns, and military-style muskets made in Virginia, Maryland, and the Carolinas. With the start of the Revolutionary War in 1776, the exportation of military items to the Colonies ceased and after the war, when exports resumed, locks of this style were out of vogue in England. Therefore, we can assume that rifles made with this style of lock were probably made prior to the start of the Revolution.
Our Colonial Virginia Flintlock was copied from the lock on the rifle pictured on page 521 of Rifles of Colonial America, Vol. II. The rifle is now in the Colonial Williamsburg collection.
Serious hunters and trekkers have told me that most locks will work fine at the range on a clear sunny day, but that there is a need for a lock that will produce enough sparks to fire every time, even under the most adverse conditions. This is the lock of choice when the going gets rough!
Dimensions: 6" x 1"
Flint Size: 1" x 7/8"
Round-Faced English Flintlock
(assembled only)
Model #L-12
This lock is interchangeable with the above Colonial Virginia lock, but has the added features of a relief border around the plate and cock, and a raised waterproof pan. Both locks have the cam-type action, a sear that remains in the same position throughout the cocking cycle, and a very long service life. Locks of this quality would have been found on high-grade English fowlers or officers' fuses.
Dimensions: 6" x 1"
Flint Size: 1" x 7/8"
Queen Anne Pistol Flintlock
(available assembled only)
Model #L-13
Historically, the Queen Anne lock is the same as the Colonial Virginia and the Round-Faced English locks. It has been reduced in size for use on pistols and small rifles or fowlers of the same time period. One would find locks of this type on pistols made between 1740 and 1780 both in the colonies and in England.
Dimensions: 5" x 27/32"
Flint Size: 3/4" x 5/8"
Early Ketland Flintlock
(available assembled only)
Model #L-15
From the mid-1700's through the mid-1800's, three generations of the Ketland family were heavily involved in the gun trade from Birmingham and London, England to Philadelphia. Our early Ketland is the type of lock that was produced in Birmingham during the 1760's and 70's and exported to America. These "export quality" locks were not fancy, but were entirely serviceable. They were used on a wide variety of rifles, fowlers, and trade guns produced during the second half of the 18th century. This lock uses the same internal parts as the Colonial Virginia and Round-face English locks, and has the same cam-type action and a sear that returns to the same position at rest, half-cock, and full cock. As with all our locks, you can expect an abundance of sparks for fast, reliable ignition.
Dimensions: 5 3/4" x 1"
Flint Size: 1" x 7/8"
Late Ketland Flintlock
(available assembled only)
Model #L-16
By 1800 the style of lock being produced by the Ketlands had changed to this later form. This style was commonly imported and used in virtually all areas of the country involved in producing guns. This lock incorporates a roller on the frizzen spring and uses the time-tested and proven internal parts from the large Siler lock. This lock is fast, reliable and easy on flints.
Dimensions: 5" x 15/16"
Flint Size: 3/4" x 5/8"
Deluxe Siler Flintlock
Model #L-18
Need to replace a standard large Siler lock, or do you have a pre-carved stock already inlet for a large Siler, or do you just want something a little better that the standard Siler lock? The Deluxe Siler uses the standard Siler plate, but incorporates the taller hammer, different tumbler, and fancy frizzen spring from the Golden Age lock for improved performance.
Dimensions: 5 ¼" x 1"
Flint Size: 7/8" x ¾"
"Dale Johnson" Flintlock
Model #L-19
Jim Chambers Flintlocks, Ltd. announces a new and exciting Golden Age styled flintlock - the "Dale Johnson" lock. The expert minds of Jim Chambers, LC Rice, and Dale Johnson have created a new Germanic influenced lock of the Siler/Chambers style. The "Dale Johnson" (a backwoods East Tennessee craftsman and engraver) lock plate is the approximate size of a large Siler but featuring a 1/8" drop in the tail and a banana base line curvature reminiscent of the Transition period. The pleasing lines of this lock will transition into the wrist of any rifle in a very graceful manner. By using the Chambers' Golden Age hammer and tumbler combination on this lock plate they have produced a lock with comparable speed to that of the notoriously quick Chambers' Late Ketland.
Dimensions: 5 ¼" x 1"
Flint Size: 7/8" x ¾"
Gunmaker's Flintlock
(assembled or kit)Left or Right Hand!
Model # GM (Regular Siler Parts)
Model #GM- (DeLuxe Siler Parts)
All the quality and reliability of the Large Siler you've come to know and trust, now complete with Versatility! By leaving the lock plate square you have the choice and ability to create the lock design you really want. This lock is fitted with all the high quality parts that makes the Large Siler the top choice for shooters and builders alike. Knowing you'll have a precision tuned, trouble-free, dependable lock with the plate design you need for that special rifle makes this lock a true one of a kind.
Dimensions: 5 7/8" x 1 3/16"
Flint Size: 7/8" x ¾"
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