When you build or restore a traditional longrifle, the lock you choose shapes both its performance and historical character. Two of the most recognizable designs are the Ketland lock and the Round-Faced lock. These locks are the product of design evolution over centuries, skilled English craftsmanship, and the demands of hunters, soldiers, and marksmen of their time.

The Round-Faced lock speaks to the robust, early style that could be found on both smoothbores and rifles during the mid to late 1700s. The later Ketland lock reflects a shift toward smaller, faster, and more efficient mechanisms. Both designs remain important to builders who value period-correct details and proven function. Understanding their history and mechanical traits will help you make informed choices and create a rifle that is both accurate to the time period and dependable in use.

Historical Origins and Importation

To understand the Ketland and Round-Faced locks, you need to look at their origins in England and how they became common in America. While some locks were made domestically, many were imported from overseas. English manufacturing during the 18th and early 19th centuries was able to produce locks efficiently and often at a lower cost than American gunsmiths could match. This was possible because of a cottage industry system where numerous small shops each specialized in a single stage of the process. One shop might shape the plates, another would make the frizzen springs, and another would complete the final assembly. This level of specialization created consistent quality and kept production moving at a steady pace.

Locks were shipped in large quantities to general stores or directly to gunsmiths in America. Once here, they could be fitted to rifles, smoothbores, or trade guns. Although export locks were often a lower grade than the finest examples kept for domestic use in England, they still provided dependable performance for both civilian and military purposes. The supply of these imported locks gave American builders access to proven designs that blended European technology with local craftsmanship.

The Round-Faced lock represents an earlier design, with large, rounded forms. By the 1760s and 1770s, this style was well established in both smoothbores and rifles in America. It was large and robust, suited to the needs of the time, and valued for reliability even if it was not the fastest design. The Ketland lock reflects a later period, roughly from 1810 to the 1820s, when English lock-making had shifted toward smaller, quicker, and more efficient mechanisms. It incorporated features that reduced friction and improved ignition speed, reflecting growing competition among English lock makers.

Both designs found their way into American gun making and became part of the longrifle tradition. They represent different stages of firearms development, each with its own advantages and historical context.

The Round-Faced Lock: Robust Early Design

The Round-Faced lock is an earlier style that you can trace back to French influence in the 17th century. By the mid to late 18th century, it had become a common and trusted lock type in America. This lock is also known as a convex plate lock because of its rounded exterior shape. Its size and construction make it a strong and dependable choice, especially for the firearms of its time.

Key characteristics of the Round-Faced lock include:

• Large overall size, typically around six inches long, making it substantial and durable.
• Rounded plate design that reflects French styling trends adopted by English manufacturers.
• Robust internal parts built for long-term use and consistent ignition.
• A slower lock time compared to smaller, later designs, but very dependable spark production.
• Common use on smoothbore firearms, although it was also seen on rifles in America after importation.

This design was well-suited for the needs of the late colonial and Revolutionary War periods. Its larger size made it strong and reliable, able to withstand heavy use in demanding conditions. Although not as fast as later designs, the Round-Faced lock’s consistency was a major advantage when reliability could mean the difference between success and failure in the field.

English lock makers perfected this style using their unique industrial system, which allowed for precision and quality while keeping costs manageable. Once imported to America, these locks were often used exactly as they came or adapted by local gunsmiths to fit specific projects.

When you select a Round-Faced lock for your build, you are choosing a design with deep historical roots and proven performance. It is ideal for recreating firearms from the mid to late 18th century, including both civilian hunting arms and certain military-influenced pieces. If your goal is to build a historically accurate firearm from that era, the Round-Faced lock offers the authenticity and durability you need.

The Ketland Lock: Compact and Evolved

The Ketland lock represents a later stage in flintlock design and reflects the advancements in speed, efficiency, and styling that developed in the early 19th century. You will notice that it is smaller and more refined than the earlier Round-Faced lock. This design was shaped by growing competition among English lock makers who were focused on producing faster and more reliable locks, especially for shooting flying game, where lock speed was critical.

Key characteristics of the Ketland lock include:

• Smaller size, typically around four and three-quarters inches long, making it lighter and faster than earlier designs.
• Flat-faced plate that replaced the rounded profile of older locks, giving it a sleeker appearance.
• Addition of a stirrup between the mainspring and tumbler, which reduces friction and increases efficiency.
• Use of a roller on the frizzen spring allows smoother frizzen movement during ignition.
• Shorter hammer throw, reducing the distance and time needed for the cock to reach the frizzen.

The Ketland lock’s design improvements were a direct response to the demand for quicker ignition and smoother operation. By reducing friction points and shortening the hammer throw, English makers created a lock that delivered sparks to the pan in less time. This was important for hunters and sportsmen of the era, especially in England, where shooting birds in flight became a popular pastime.

Although the Ketland family name appears on many locks, they were not necessarily the manufacturers. They often acted as middlemen, ordering locks from various makers, branding them, and arranging shipment to overseas markets. Many Ketland locks found their way to America, where they were used on rifles, smoothbores, and even pistols.

If you choose a Ketland lock for your build, you are selecting a compact, efficient design that is ideal for recreating firearms from around 1810 to 1820. Its faster action and reduced weight make it suitable for a variety of firearm types, including smaller rifles and pistols.

Modern Availability & Lifetime Warranty with Kiblers

Kibler’s Longrifles produces both Ketland and Round-Faced locks as precise modern reproductions that preserve historical accuracy while delivering exceptional mechanical performance. You can purchase these locks undrilled, giving you the freedom to fit them to your own firearm project. This makes them ideal for both historically faithful reproductions and custom builds that use period-correct components.

Every lock we make is built with meticulous attention to fit, finish, and long-term durability. Our modern production process ensures consistency that exceeds what you will find in most surviving originals, while still honoring the look, feel, and function of the originals.

We now back every lock with a lifetime warranty. If you experience any issue, you can send the lock back, and we will repair it at no cost beyond your shipping. This warranty reflects our confidence in the craftsmanship and reliability of every lock we produce, and it ensures that your investment is protected for life.

Bringing History and Reliability to Your Build

At Kibler’s Longrifles, you can create a rifle that blends historical accuracy with the advantages of modern precision. Every kit and component is carefully designed to capture the look, feel, and proportions of original longrifles while benefiting from exact CNC machining for consistent quality. You start with parts shaped and prepared to make your work easier, while still giving you the satisfaction of hands-on craftsmanship.

You can explore our online store for a full range of rifle kits, locks, tools, and finishing supplies, all selected to help you achieve professional results. For guidance, our YouTube channel offers detailed demonstrations that walk you through the steps of the building process. You can also join our community on Facebook to connect with other builders, share progress, and get feedback, or follow us on Instagram for inspiration and examples of completed rifles.