doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Could someone pls post pics sidelock v. boxlock?

I would appreciate some pictures and an explanation of sidelock and boxlock.
I do not even know if it refers to the trigger or how the action is kept closed

Thank you

Lou

If you go to Gunsinternational and look at, for instance, AYA, you'll see plenty of both. Sidelocks have a large removable plate on each side, behind the main action body, on which the hammers, mainsprings and sears are mounted. These parts are contained within the action body hidden by the stock (or immediately behind but attached to the upper or lower tangs) in a boxlock. Both designs work well, but sidelocks are generally more expensive, although much easier to clean the aforementioned parts, since it is not necessary to remove the entire buttstock to get access to them. I hope this makes sense.

Boxlock - A type of action (receiver) for a break-open gun where the lockwork is contained within a box-shaped housing. (see also: Sidelock). A boxlock is superior to a sidelock because although more metal needs to be removed from the action body, less wood needs be removed from the head of the stock---and wood is generally more vulnerable than metal. The Anson & Deeley boxlock, patented in 1875, the simplest, most reliable and most successful action design, is identified by two pins spanning the width of the action, one at the bottom rear and one slightly forward and higher, upon which the sears and hammers, respectively, rotate. Photo
Sidelock - A type of action on a break-open gun where the lockwork (hammer, sear, mainspring etc) is mounted to the back side (inside) of a plate (or pair of plates for a double gun). A sidelock is superior to a boxlock because: 1. Less steel needs be removed from the bar of the action; the action is therefore stronger. 2. The lock plates provide a larger canvas for the engraver's art. 3. Sidelocks have generally been considered a more aesthetically pleasing form. 4. They are often made with secondary, or intercepting, safety sears. 5. Trigger pulls theoretically may be adjusted more precisely. 6. Because of all the above, most makers building a range of guns have usually reserved the sidelock action for their better grades of guns; this last being the most relevant reason why sidelocks are generally considered superior to boxlocks. Photo
This info is courtesy of Hallowell & Co. www.hallowellco.com

Joe

Hello Lou,

Search around here:

http://www.hallowellco.com/abbrevia.htm#Back%20Action

You'll find what you want to know and lots more.

Best,

JC

Boxlock- AYA No.4 Deluxe


Sidelock- AYA No. 56


On sidelocks, the lockwork (hammer, springs, sears, so on) are mounted onto sideplates that removable. On boxlocks, the lockwork is contained within the action.

Here's a photo of the lockwork on a Laurona sidelock.



Adam

Sidelock





Boxlock - Manufrance


Cut away of a Fox




And tben there guns like the Lefever, while not a true sidelock, neither are they boxlocks


Pete

Should mention that there are "boxlocks" with side plates on them to make them look like "sidelocks.

Bushmaster, what you have to be careful about here is that, until you've looked at a few, what appears to be a sidelock can actually be a boxlock with sideplates (which make it look like a sidelock). As noted above, on a sidelock, the lockwork is connected to the sideplate. On a boxlock, even if it has sideplates, the lockwork is contained within the action itself. Some makers (Bernardelli of Italy being an excellent example) went to some lengths--including putting false pins, screws, etc on their sideplates--to make their sideplated boxlocks look like sidelocks.

If in doubt, ask--with a picture if you can post one. And don't feel like the Lone Ranger if a sideplated boxlock fools you. I've seen dealers describe Bernardelli boxlocks as sidelocks. Another one of those you can look at currently would be the sideplated Fausti Dea, offered by Cabela's. That one doesn't have all the pins in the right places, but some people might think it's a sidelock.

It does not refer to the trigger or to how the action is kept closed.

It refers to sears and hammers, and how they are mounted to the frame. Whether they are mounted inside the frame(boxlock) or mounted on plates that are attached to the side of the frame(sidelock).

Hello
Here are some other variations

A boxlock, droplock with sideplates