<P> Lock, stock, and barrel is a merism (figure of speech) used predominantly in the United Kingdom and North America, meaning' all',' total',' everything' . The effective portions of a gun (or more specifically a musket) are the lock (used to hold ready the sparking mechanism), the stock (the portion held), and the barrel (the aiming guide and conveyor for the explosive - driven projectile). Collectively they are the whole weapon, and therefore everything . </P> <P> The term was first recorded in the letters of Sir Walter Scott in 1817, in the line "Like the High - landman's gun, she wants stock, lock, and barrel, to put her into repair ." (1) It is, however, thought that this term evolved into a popular saying some years before in England . </P> <P> In the early days of firearms manufacturing, individual craftsmen made individual components one at a time . One craftsman made the "lock" which would have been a "match lock", "wheel lock", "flint lock" etc . The next craftsman made the barrel, and the last craftsman, who was a woodworker made the stock . At some point, a craftsman or a merchant started advertising "Lock Stock and Barrel" meaning that you could get your entire gun at one location and did not have to go from craftsman to craftsman to get it finished . </P> <P> 1454 England, London at the first verified blacksmith / gunsmith manufacturers sign . The first time the phrase was used and explained . "Lock, Stock and Barrel was the way muskets and or parts were sold . The muskets were crudely made and failed after limited use . You could buy the lock (firing mechanism), stock (handle) and barrel (barrel) separately as needed . If you wanted a complete musket you asked for "lock, stock and barrel". Thus the saying you want or get all the components of a deal . Buy a house furnished with the cars in the garage and you bought the place "lock, stock and barrel". </P>

Where does lock stock and barrel come from