JunkUNC Combo Padlock

My first vintage combo lock for my collection :(clap):

Unfortunately, it didn't come with the combination.

What might the number on the shackle be for and the number on the back, is it just a serial number? I read from a couple of sources that it was probably a 2 dial lock.
If anyone could tell me if that is true and if its supposed to be turned right then left or something entirely different that would be great!

I found a patent that looks similar to it but the numbering is different.
http://www.google.com/patents?id=2lp...404968&f=false

Any Help, Much Appreciated!

Brey, I have the identical padlock and mine is a 4 number combination. Mine is R-L-R-L open. It is however like a safe combo in that after setting the first number I have to go past it in the opposite direction to set the second number, then just stop at the third and forth numbers. It took me a little while playing with it to crack the combination, as like you I got mine without the combo. Good luck with it, it's a cool little lock. P.S. I don't know of any code lists for these locks. Mark:8):

Mark, that is very helpful!
I wasn't able to find anything on a code list either.
I noticed that the dial can be pulled out a little further on certain numbers and you are able to see the ball bearing underneath and I wondered if this was a flaw that could be used to determine some of the numbers. Either way, I'll eventually crack the code. Thanks again.
~B

Brey, I don't know how helpful this is, but here's a link to a web page that lists a lot of combination locks and their combo sequences. If you'll notice on the page it shows your lock with a 3 number combo, so it could be either 3 or 4 numbers. Mark:^):
http://vintagecombinationlocks.com/#junkunc

That was actually a good reference for me Mark.
I wish the tag was available for it but I was thrilled to see some of the numbers that I thought it was... but unfortunately it did not work for me. :(
I've tried over 500 combinations now and still no luck.
Maybe sometime in the future I'll have a picture of it unlocked.
~B

Well, I've looked and American Lock doesn't have a record for the code stamped upon that lock.

Most of my collection is packed up ready for a move the first week of August but I do have one of the original 2 number combination locks in one of those boxes. I'm not sure if mine has a code number or not, but the construction is quite different from what is in your pictures. The back of mine has two raised channels that the shackle enters.

Of course with only two numbers in the combination it was really easy to figure out what it was. When I get moved and unpacked I'll get pictures of my lock.
BBE.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brey

That was actually a good reference for me Mark.
I wish the tag was available for it but I was thrilled to see some of the numbers that I thought it was... but unfortunately it did not work for me. :(
I've tried over 500 combinations now and still no luck.
Maybe sometime in the future I'll have a picture of it unlocked.
~B

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BBE, Thanks for checking.
When I first thought it was a 2 dial, I tried all 225 combo possibilities.
Heh, that's when Mark mentioned that it might be 3 or 4 dial.
Still going through the combinations now.

Raised Channels for the shackle? I'd like to read the patent for that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brey

Raised Channels for the shackle? I'd like to read the patent for that.

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Oddly enough I haven't been able to find a Junkunc patent dated earlier than 1926 and none of the ones found are for a combination lock.

I do know the company was started in 1912 by John Junkunc and was originally just named Junkunc Brothers until 1919 when they purchased an existing company American Lock. After that it was known as Junkunc Brothers American Lock Co. A company history document states that John Junkunc invented and patented the first dial combination padlock.
BBE.

BBE, Did you notice the link I posted above?

http://www.google.com/patents?id=2lp...404968&f=false

Its the patent to a combination JunkUNC padlock. Patented: Jan.31, 1922

Brey, I'm pretty sure the patent that you showed is indeed the patent for your lock. as you noted the dial face looks different in regards to the numbers, but that's pretty common in patents as the final product can vary cosmetically, but the mechanics sre really what they're protecting. My lock C524846 looks identical to yours and has the grooves cut into the back side of the shackle like shown in the patent drawings. Also if you noticed he filed for the patent on Dec 1920 and was awarded the rights on Jan 31 1922 just like is on our locks. Good job digging that patent up. Mark:8):

I had missed that, nice job finding that. There should also be one from from 1912±2 years, maybe I'll find that one some day.
BBE.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brey

BBE, Did you notice the link I posted above?

http://www.google.com/patents?id=2lp...404968&f=false

Its the patent to a combination JunkUNC padlock. Patented: Jan.31, 1922

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@Mark: Some changes made do his design after he filed was what I was guessing but I wasn't sure if it had to be exact. That's good to know!
@BBE: I don't know if this is the dial padlock Patent you were referring to but I did find one Patented Feb. 1, 1910 from John J. (Link Below)

http://www.google.com/patents?id=S1F...201910&f=false

~Brey

Ah, I just found this one as well.
This padlock was patented on Oct. 29, 1912

http://www.google.com/patents?id=AMF...201910&f=false

This one and the one I posted in the last reply were the only ones I could find in between 1909-1914

~Brey

WOW, I have had the lock with two raised channels shown in 948,280 for about 8 years and could not find that patent. I typically search at the patent Office web site so looks like I need to switch to Google Patents for better results. The interesting thing is this later patent likely means that the one with the raised channels was only in production for 2 years. Thanks for opening my eyes to Google Patents.

I'll take some pictures once I am moved and find the lock again.
BBE.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brey

Ah, I just found this one as well.
This padlock was patented on Oct. 29, 1912

http://www.google.com/patents?id=AMF...201910&f=false

This one and the one I posted in the last reply were the only ones I could find in between 1909-1914

~Brey

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Heh, glad I was able to be of some help.

Looking forward to those pictures.

Hopefully I'll have one with this lock open...eventually!

~Brey

I just noticed this 1927 ad at the bottom of that vintage site.

http://vintagecombinationlocks.com/l...PadlockAds.pdf

It includes my padlock amongst them.

~Brey

I have a small Junkunc combination lock, if it has two channels in the rear side I think mine omly has 2 #'s to unlock it...I'll have to check as I haven't played with it for a while
I got it out , it is 1 1/4 in dia....has #'s 5 to 30 on the dial...2 channels in the rear & the pat date is 1912 to open: you turn to the right twice ,stop at the #, then turn to the left & stop at the second #, you do not pass the 2nd #

this may not be the lock that you have, but that is what I have in my hand.....HTH
.............Donnie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Donnie

I have a small Junkunc combination lock, if it has two channels in the rear side I think mine omly has 2 #'s to unlock it...I'll have to check as I haven't played with it for a while
I got it out , it is 1 1/4 in dia....has #'s 5 to 30 on the dial...2 channels in the rear & the pat date is 1912 to open: you turn to the right twice ,stop at the #, then turn to the left & stop at the second #, you do not pass the 2nd #

this may not be the lock that you have, but that is what I have in my hand.....HTH
.............Donnie

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Donnie,

Thanks for your input. Its great to hear how these forgotten relics turn because that's what I fear that I'm doing wrong.

I think you have a different lock than mine though.

You probably have the one we mentioned before:
http://www.google.com/patents?id=AMF...201910&f=false


In the ad that I posted earlier it shows what might be your lock (5-30) and mine. It suggests that my lock could be opened by a 3 numbered combination or by dialed clicks.

The website that Mark provided displayed a hopeful combination via dialed clicks but it didn't work.
Unless I'm doing something wrong. I've tried by sound and by touch but no luck.

Then again the # on its shackle reads 8, while mine looks like (1)002. I don't know if that makes a difference though.

I finished going through the 2 #'s...still going through all of the 3 numbered combo's.

Thanks again for the help.

~B

After looking through many, many boxes I found my original 2 number Junkunc Brothers combination padlock, see pictures below. I shot it next to a US quarter which has a diameter of .915". Also took a close up of the legend on the back. The last line of that is still hard to read in the photo but says 'Chicago U.S.A. Style J'. I think it is indeed the 1912 patent 1,042,447.
BBE.
Attachment 6463Attachment 6464

Nice! Looks like its in pretty good shape for a 100 yrs

I was wondering if you found it or not when you moved in.

Thanks for that beautiful picture BBE!

I have tried to get one of those but not success yet :(
I would love to add an old Junkunc combination padlock to it's brother here in my collection.

Hi Friends! You helped me identify the combination pattern and get this old Junkunc Bros lock open. Thank you! It is a 14 number lock with the patent date of Jan. 31-'22. Serial number C615766. The number "575" is stamped on the shackle. Its combination pattern is: R-3X, L-2X, R-1X.
Attachment 6732

Glad to hear this helped yours open Dowser!
I am still working on mine but I still have a lot of numbers to go.

~B

Yes, I did it all in one day. My fingers are still so sore. It is amazing that opening the lock and putting a couple of drops of lubricant inside smoothed the action.

Another thing that I noticed: I would put in the first two numbers, and then put my index finger under the shackle and hold an upward pressure on the shackle while I turned to the right searching for the third number. When I finally had the first two numbers correct, the lock suddenly behaved differently. I couldn't turn the dial unlessthat upward pressure on the shackle was removed. I hope this helps you.

Yes, I learned that trick too, dialing down for the 3rd number to speed up the process but at the beginning I tried all the 2 digit combinations in case it was a 2-dialed.

It's nice to hear that yours was a R, L, R because that's what I have been doing.

I noticed about half way through the process I needed to lubricate the dial as well because it was starting to stick from all the trial and error.

Thanks for the tip, I'll be on extra alert if it begins to behave differently and even perhaps try the code again.

Wow...sooo funny story. I tried unlocking it again for the first time in months right after I replied to Dowsers post and got it it open on the first set of numbers I left off on.
Just like you said Dowser..it was acting odd on the 3rd number. I thought the lock was acting up because it was happening on my first try, heh
Finally! Thanks everyone!