The nut and socket hold and release the string. The fingers on the top of the nut hold the string in place when the bow is drawn. The forward end of the trigger fits into a notch cut into the underside of the nut and prevent the nut from rolling forward when the bow is loaded. When the rear of the trigger is pulled, the forward end plunges clear of the notch, allowing the nut to roll forward and release the string. A steel plug ia inserted into the notch to prevent wear.

Early locks were made from bone, horn or tusk, but by the time period of our design, the nut and socket were often composed of steel or brass. We began with two brass cylinders for blanks, The first cylinder was turned to a given diameter on a small jeweler’s lathe to form the nut, and a hole was bored through the center of the second cylinder to create the socket. Both pieces were then milled and ground into their final shapes, and will be polished before installation.