Archive Documents

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brian Morland

The History of Locks Museum Archive contains an index to the Chubb lock serial numbers. The index lists the year, month and day of manufacture (or completion) of Chubb locks from 1819 when production started to December 31st 1936 when the serial numbering of locks was discontinued.
We are happy to look up the date of your lock:-

• Post here good clear pictures of the exterior of your lock on a white plain background, which should also include a picture of the logo, marking and serial number, and one of the lock interior (except padlocks and other sealed units).
• Include in your post the exact dimensions (width x height x depth) and its weight.
• Any known provenance, where it was found, what it was used for etc. etc.

The HoL Museum Team will look up the index and post the date; AL members can then 'explore' your lock and its features. As well as this thread evolving into a useful resource for all Chubb enthusiasts some pictures may also appear on the Chubb Archive website.

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Is this Peters lists Brian or the original Chubb documents ?

Hi Paul, moved your post to a new thread - Archive Documents, I want to keep the lock dating thread for that subject. I'm sure you can comment on the features and merit of these locks for members...

Regarding our archive. Its difficult to say, my hunch is its from one of the many company technical records/archives produced for in-house use at different locations. This appears to be contemporary with other documents received from the period between the wars and may be what the widely circulated abbreviated year lists are compiled from. Apart from the LMA what other Chubb archives or document collections do you know of?

My understanding of Peters lists is that he worked the majority of it out by interpreting the standard VL documents. Accordingly it would stand some cross checking against the full lists.

Peters list stands up well when compared with our copy, but we are also aware, as I suspect most researchers are, of the anomalies and duplication in the various versions, including 'official company versions'.

Its interesting when the same documentary information is presented from differing sources, the documents sometimes contain handwritten notes. Take for instance the Ingersoll bitting charts/serial numbers the official version differs from the production version with both typed and handwritten notes relative to a serial number or even a particular application.

The research associated with the documentary evidence is always a fascinating endeavor, and view points are subsequently continuously evolving based on whats learnt. A single document might give some insight, but how often a second document modifies that view.

From our own perspective, those that we visit, or visit us, with a particular point to clarify are very often the most rewarding and we encourage such interaction.

Serial numbering and other markings is of particular interest to us from all manufacturers and is an area of much research; the Prince of Wales feathers for instance and similar marks found on Chubb locks (and others), probably an inspectors mark, are interesting but what do they actually signify?

Anyway getting back to Chubb lock serial numbers if anyone has a version for comparison do arrange a visit.