Unknown metal lockplate

[Commodore Swab]

Im sorry I don't have a camera right now so pictures are not an option.

A while back I was with the Viceroy and came across a flintlock pistol for sale. The "story" was that this was one of a number of locks found in a warehouse decades ago and used to build pistols, the Viceroy confirmed this commenting that he had a couple of these at home himself. Unfortunatly these locks appeared to be destined for muskets so the pistols that were built are in poor taste for accuracy as the lock is much too large. I purchased this pistol and brought it home. I sanded down and polished the lock making it shine beautifully, however simple oile was not enough to keep the rust at bay (I am on an island surrounded by salt water and live on the water). What intrigued me is that the lockplate did not rust but would shine up beautifully. The only writings on this lock are the words "made in germany" which has perplexed both the viceroy and myself. My best guess is that it was made in the mid 1800's prior to the civil war in germany for export to the US and lost to storage due to its being obsolete at the time. Since the lockplate doesnt rust would it safe to assume it is made of silver or something else? If so what else?

[blackjohn]

Germany didn't exist as a nation until... I think it was 1871.

[Commodore Swab]

Germany didn't exist as a nation until... I think it was 1871.

We are pretty sure that this lock/pistol is at least 50 years old. The 2 pistols that the Viceroy has are identical only they don't have the "made in germany"

[callenish gunner]

there were several different flintlock makers during the the 1930's, late 40's & 50's one being Hy Hunter who used stainless for a lot of his parts ....these pieces were made fast and cheap for the film industry and open market too if your piece isn't rusting in the Keys and is stamped Germany my "guess" would be that perhaps you scored some of these parts (some of Hy's guns were assembled here in the states to avoid the Germany stamping)....just a hunch without further inspection and metallurgical tests.

Edited May 17, 2009 by callenish gunner

[Commodore Swab]

It doesn't act like stainless

[Littleneckhalfshell]

I believe the lock on my Kentucky Long Rifle, made in the late 60's from a kit from Numrich Arms in NY, (don't think they exist anymore) is of what is called 'German Silver' it is not silver, but a Nickel alloy.

""German silver has a color resembling silver, but is an alloy of primarily copper, nickel and zinc.""

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia explains.

Maybe that is what your mystery lock plate is made of.

[gunner Gordon]

if it was made in Germany from 1945 until the reunification it would read W. or West Germany, German silver turns a kinda greenish colour and does polish up easily.

[Commodore Swab]

if it was made in Germany from 1945 until the reunification it would read W. or West Germany, German silver turns a kinda greenish colour and does polish up easily.

It just reads Germany, the plate has a hard time polishing with silver polish or brasso but a little steel wool makes it shine beautifully.

[gunner Gordon]

as sherlock holmes said, once you remove all possibilities , whatever is left must be the truth. it should be pre WWII or the last 20 years or so. high carbon hardened steele would exhibit the qualities you describe, or an alloy steele.

[MorganTyre]

Still sounding like stainless to me. What is it doing that suggests to you that it isn't stainless? Have you tried touching a magnet to it?

[Commodore Swab]

Still sounding like stainless to me. What is it doing that suggests to you that it isn't stainless? Have you tried touching a magnet to it?

Its too soft to be stainless, has the wrong color, and tarnishes totally different.