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Gun Lock ENFIELD REPLICA
A technological advantage enjoyed by the Royal Navy during this period was the gun lock. Previously, the powder charge was ignited using a ‘linstock’, a slow burning match wound over a forked stick. This method, still at the time the principle method of the French Navy, caused a delay in the powder igniting, which made it difficult to judge the aim as the ship rolled in the swell.
The gun lock was a larger version of the flintlock mechanism used on pistols and muskets and was screwed onto the gun, next to the ignition vent. The lock was operated by pulling the lanyard attached to the trigger mechanism, which ignited the powder more efficiently, enabling the gun to be aimed more accurately.
This particular example is a replica made in 1984 by the Apprentices of The Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) at Enfield Lock.
An important feature of the RSAF was their apprenticeship training, which evolved to embrace new technologies and advancing educational requirements for the training of engineers, technicians and craftsmen.
The Apprentices' training included the manufacture of working models, including machine tools and guns. These projects were undertaken by Apprentices in their first years, assisted by later year Apprentices, and could often take several years to complete.
This model was assigned as a training project, as described below.
DESCRIPTION
Date: c1984
Length (brass lock):6.0 in (15.5 cm)
Width (brass lock): 1 in (2.5 cm)
Weight (incl. base): 5.4 lb (2.45 kg)
Maker: Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF), Enfield
Materials: Brass, steel, wih cord lanyard and wooden toggle
Flintlock mechanism with its cover removed to show the internal parts, made for firing the cannons on HMS Victory [1].
The following is an extract from ‘The Lads of Enfield Lock’ [1] ...
“One particularly interesting and challenging project was the making of a complete set (plus a few ‘spares’) of fully working, replica flintlock mechanisms for firing the 32-pounder cannons on HMS Victory. During the refurbishment of HMS Victory in the 1980s, RSAF was asked to make a number of replica Flintlocks, working from one of the few surviving originals as a pattern. The task was undertaken as an Apprentice training exercise in circa 1984…”
The mechanism that the Navy gave to Enfield was stripped to its component parts on receipt. These were cleaned and given to fourth year Apprentices who were employed in the Drawing Office. They measured the components and provided a complete set of drawings. These were used by third year Apprentices for manufacture.
The body of the mechanism is manufactured in two parts, from brass. These were produced by a computer numerically controlled milling machine and a range of standard equipment available in the RSAF training school. Computer numerical control was at the time one of the new engineering technologies and the Apprentices are taught to programme these machines themselves and did so for the Flintlock. Two of the component parts were ideal for investment casting and provided Apprentices with a valuable exercise.
The mechanism is fired by springs but these are to a very old design and can only be manufactured by traditional blacksmithing methods, which again gave the Apprentices a greater insight into these skills."
During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, small arms were manufactured by private contractors under the direction of the Board of Ordnance.
In order to improve the supply and quality, and to reduce costs, the Royal Manufactory of Small Arms was established in 1807 in Lewisham.
This was succeeded from 1816 by the Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) at Enfield Lock.
NOTE: [1] The Lads of Enfield Lock by Graham Birchmore & Roy Burges (on behalf of the RSAF Apprentices Association), Libri Publishing, 2010