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Posted By: PhysDoc Dougall's lockfast - 11/19/22 06:54 PM
Hi All

I recently won this on gunbroker, I was interested in the action, and thought it would be
fun to study

Dougall barrel and receiver

It arrived today, barrels are actually pretty nice and still ring. I don't suppose anyone
has any parts to help complete it. But I would love to know more about this shotgun and what it
most likely looked like originally. The serial number on the barrel is M 788, there is no serial number
on the receiver.
Posted By: Kutter Re: Dougall's lockfast - 11/19/22 08:07 PM
I had one about 25yrs ago, maybe more. A project gun that I never got to finish up. Sold off to another person with more time on their hands!
Opening the action with the lever moved the bbl set slightly foreward and then allowed them to drop down.
The breech face was made with round flanges for both chambers that the bbls set back into. That was the necessity for the bbl to push forward slightly before being able to drop down.
On closing the breech, you brought the bbls back up like any SxS. Then closing the lever pulled the bbl set backwards that small distance once again and the bbls engaged those protruding flanges in each of the chambers. I assume that was the 'Lock-Fast' idea.

Mine had an extra set of bbls that seemed to be an aftermarket make,,not quite right, but close and still 'in the white' .
The orig set if I am recalling the correct gun from those yrs ago had a name w/ Detroit, MI address on the top rib. I had never found any info connected to the name at the time.

I have seen the LockFast system used on a couple of the SxS handguns made in gauge bore sizes (Howdah Pistols?) Those back-up handguns for when hunting big kittys.
Posted By: Drew Hause Re: Dougall's lockfast - 11/19/22 09:47 PM
Have you seen this thread?
https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=464370

Article from 9-2020
https://www.vintageguns.co.uk/magazine/no-charge-can-hurt-the-gun

W.W. Greener
https://books.google.com/books?id=PXkZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA9

Not enough to keep you busy at UMKC? smile
Posted By: mc Re: Dougall's lockfast - 11/19/22 09:47 PM
Mr Physdoc. I love an optimist;)
Posted By: battle Re: Dougall's lockfast - 11/19/22 10:59 PM
Projects of all projects... WOW

Good Luck!
Posted By: keith Re: Dougall's lockfast - 11/20/22 03:05 AM
Originally Posted by mc
Mr Physdoc. I love an optimist;)

Fred, a lot of us are optimists when we think about rescuing a basket case gun. I recall reading about these guns, and thought they were pretty interesting. I imagine you knew before you bought it that finding the parts to return it to shooting form would have roughly the same odds as winning the Powerball jackpot. But you never know what might pop up, and the purchase price isn't going to break the bank. Good luck with it.
Posted By: PhysDoc Re: Dougall's lockfast - 11/20/22 12:38 PM
Well, truthfully, I had heard about Dougall Lock Fast's and thought "wow, this is a great opportunity to buy one to study it"
It really is a very interesting action. I thought "worse comes to worse, I can put it out on a table at a gun show and someone will
come along and I can get my money back".

That being said, I can't help but wonder if I could find some back action locks that could work with it. I have a milling machine
and think I could make a forend iron.
Posted By: Colonial Re: Dougall's lockfast - 11/20/22 02:08 PM
I did essentially that with a boxlock 1908 Syracus SXS, taken on as a personal challenge.
Got an old parts list from a member, enough detail to work from.
Made a nice shooting gun.
Have at it, have fun, most rewarding
Posted By: bsteele Re: Dougall's lockfast - 11/20/22 04:06 PM
I have a complete 16ga. I can take pictures of whatever you like as a reference.
Posted By: PhysDoc Re: Dougall's lockfast - 11/20/22 04:42 PM
Originally Posted by bsteele
I have a complete 16ga. I can take pictures of whatever you like as a reference.

Yes please, I would love to see pictures of the locks, triggers and guard and the forend.
Posted By: Steve Nash Re: Dougall's lockfast - 11/20/22 08:03 PM
I believe your gun started as a pin-fire, from the starburst detailing at the breech. For details on a complete Lock Fast, and I believe images of others if you have time to look, there is the pin-fire game gun thread. Here is a link to my Lock Fast gun in the thread:

https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=575813&page=13
Posted By: Argo44 Re: Dougall's lockfast - 11/20/22 11:41 PM
I used Steve's excellent summary of the Dougall Lockfast from that line with a gentleman whom Diggory put into contact with me who was also restoring a Lockfast. Steve's post really is one of the best around.
Posted By: PhysDoc Re: Dougall's lockfast - 11/21/22 01:57 PM
Thanks for all the great links, I enjoyed reading them. Upon closer inspection, I believe that Mr. Nash is right in that it started off as a pin-fire.
Posted By: Argo44 Re: Dougall's lockfast - 11/23/22 02:53 AM
From Holts auction today. Early Dougall Lockfast:

https://auctions.holtsauctioneers.c...+++793+&refno=++186069&saletype=
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