Guys, this was all very helpful and I appreciate the effort!!!! I think Rocketman had it correct in that it depends on whether you count the striker pivot/axle and mainspring pin as a PIN or NOT. The Englishman counted both as pins and that is why he called it a 9 pin but most people would call it a 7 pin and not count these two attachment points.

I hope this discussion also helps some others on the site that might be equally challenged by the terminology of sidelock actions.

Just curious, my Verney-Carron sidelock ejector (as shown on the VC discussion forum) is a back action. How do I determine which is the mainspring pin?

Paul