The Muster 1840 Austro-Hungarian Army (k.k. Army) musket was an effort to convert older flintlock weapons to "chemical ignition" using an improved version of Console's tubelock system. It was problematic because the weapons and locks had been made by and were converted by so many different arsenals and contractors. Seeing the unreliability of Muster 1840 locks, Baron von Augustin, the chief of k.k. Army ordnance, decreed that all locks for Muster 1842 muskets would be made at the Vienna Arsenal, even the locks for weapons which were otherwise manufactured by contractors. Standardization is a good thing. The Muster 1854 lock was essentially a product improved version of the Muster 1842 lock. This leads to some comments about your rifle:
Although the Muster 1854 weapons were hand and machine made to standard gauges, the lockplates are all pretty much the same size, since they were forged. An Imperial marked lockplate -- one with the Emperor's double headed eagle and the three digit date code -- should fit your stock fairly well. You might have to trim the wood a little to fit, but you might have to do that on an Enfield or even a Springfield.
The numerical codes on the internal parts of the lock are the identity numbers of the individual lock makers at the Vienna Arsenal. Parts made by lock maker "10" will generally fit in and work in a lock made by that lock maker. Parts made by lock makers "21" or "15" may or may not fit in one of "10's" locks without additional hand fitting. They also tried to balance the tension provided by the main and sear springs to give a reasonaably good trigger pull.
Generally, the mainsprings are not numbered. There may be some small variation in size. The bigger problem is the fit of the mainspring with the other internal parts of the lock. Any Muster 1854 system mainspring with the pin will probably fit the lock you are talking about purchasing, but it is best to take a lock and go through several mainsprings to get the best fit. That's what the lock makers did when they assembled the locks.
$300+ is much too high for one of these locks, particularly the one shown in your photos. One can get a sporterized Muster 1854 for that. See what's available at the Richmond show. Take the stock with you and look for a drop-in lock.
Regards,
Don Dixon
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