25,424 Spots on the Locks or Jeweling a Pair of 4g Hand Detachable Lock Shotguns.

A few weeks ago I did a post about Jason starting to Spot or 'Jewel' the lockwork on the pair of 4 bore shotguns we are completing. At the time I estimated about 60 hours of work to complete the locks and how wrong was I. I think now that every part of estimating time on this pair of guns has been wrong!

Jason has been sitting at one of 3 machines it has required to complete this job for endless days now. The first lock he completed, the spots were slightly too large so he started again. The second attempt was also slightly large as well so a 3rd size of spot was chosen. This final size worked well on the plates and all the limbs of the lock.

So how many individual spots are on a lock? This is how he has filled his time, counting carefully!

Lock Plate 3360, Dog 428, Main Spring 519, Hammer 719, Sear 396, Lock Plate 3360 The total for one lock is 5422 individual overlapping spots. Four pairs of locks 21688. Then there are 2 cover plates with 1755 spots and a top bolt with 113 making a grand total of 25,424.

2 More lock plates to go and he is done. I should have had a competition on the number of spots, I know I would not have come close!

15 Comments

Vic Venters on August 18, 2015 at 6:37 pm

Great insight in to bespoke gunmaking, and why it costs so much.

Does the jeweling have any underlying utilitarian function or is it entirely aesthetic?

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- Simon Clode on August 18, 2015 at 7:50 pm
  
  Entirely aesthetic. You have probably seen old locks where the gulling has been rubbed off and the locks don't look nearly 'so complete'!
  
  Reply
Larry on August 18, 2015 at 9:01 pm

Awesome. I think I see a flaw on the bottom plate ;)

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- Simon Clode on August 18, 2015 at 9:46 pm
  
  Come and say that to Jason's face!
  
  Reply
Boyd Schomaker on August 19, 2015 at 4:25 am

Of all the gun makers Westley Richards reminds me of the best watch makers in the world.
To take the time to "Jewel " the locks and other parts of this 4 bore is a lost art. ( Spot is just a bad English for a proper description of "Jeweling" )
In fact the jeweling machine are becoming rare and the artist who knows how to use this item are few and are far between.
As you Simon had no idea of the time spent I must applauded you for by standing back and giving Jason the the freedom to carry on where as other Italian and British gun makers stay clear of this costly finish.
I applaud you again at allowing Jason to do it until it was "RIGHT ".
Again this is why I say Westley Richards is my bespoke gun above all others
as you have not killed the artist by giving him a cost per hr per gun value.

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- Simon Clode on August 19, 2015 at 7:08 pm
  
  Thank you for your generous words. I have said many times it is all about time, as much time as it takes! (within reason boys if you are reading!!)
  
  Reply
Vic Venters on August 19, 2015 at 5:19 pm

Congrats to Jason on such exacting work. The beauty is in the little stuff, or a lot of it.

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Neill Clark on August 19, 2015 at 7:27 pm

Simon, give Jason a pay rise, whatever you pay him does not cover the sheer dedication as well as skill for this level of craftsmanship.

And as Boyd has said, all credit to you as an employer allowing this, in this day and age the "time is money" ethos has all but destroyed the notion that some people actually do take pride in their work.

I take my hat off to WR, and do so again for Jason.

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tim wilkes on August 20, 2015 at 9:48 am

Wonderful craftsmanship , Jason. Well done indeed.

I wondered what, if any, differences there are between jewelling, spotting and engine turning?

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- Simon Clode on August 20, 2015 at 12:39 pm
  
  There are no differences it is just different people call the process different names.
  
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Chris Athanasiou on August 21, 2015 at 7:01 am

Dear Mr. Simon congratulation to you and to your team and especially to Jason
When the "right client" have an ambitious vision like this and finally he can chose the right "man" like you, who can have the same vision, this is a historic moment. ....
The vision can realized and the result is a classic masterpiece!!
You Mr. Simon with your team with men like Jason, transform the requested kind vision in a historic shotgun, a genuine peace of art in the Renascence way!! Congratulation for your effort and achievement!!
Finally many thanks for your fantastic pictures who help us to understand the total beauty of your work!!
Chris

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vancedaigle on August 21, 2015 at 2:34 pm

Morning Simon,

Great Story Sir,

Part of being in business is having the-- Brass Balls--so to speak, to take on such a project!!!!! Not many...".No"...... no one else out there has that intestinal fortitude any more. My Hats off.

Gun historians will certainly write well about Westley under your Leadership Simon. Men will say not only do I have a Westley Richards, but it came from the Simon Clode era!!!!!! Of that I am certain....

In Christ
Vance,

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Djamel on August 23, 2015 at 10:44 am

Bonjour/Bonsoir
Hello to all fans of WR.
I am a fan of the Droplock. I wrote an article on this fabulous mechanic it appeared in the French magazine "ARMES DE CHASSE".
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10205245058103379&set=oa.10152900870628180&type=3&theater

cordially

Reply
- Simon Clode on August 23, 2015 at 2:06 pm
  
  The link does not work to your article!
  
  Reply
  - Djamel on August 25, 2015 at 9:01 am
    
    Bonjour
    it is a link to "Best's gun makers only" on facebook. Maybe this link will work:
    
    https://www.facebook.com/212245235473351/photos/pb.212245235473351.-2207520000.1440489381./885871921444009/?type=3&theater
    Otherwise, if you want, I can send you my article Pdf version (but it's in French) it will be with pleasure!
    Best regards
    Djamel
    http://aoubellil.blog4ever.com/
    
    Reply