Chubb Serial Number Dates

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 in exchange for the following details from 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). Please ensure your picture is of the complete lock and is not croped.
• 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.

Hi, wondering if you could tell me what this lock might of been used for. The brass plate measure 66mm by 55mm, I think the number reads 830550... key works smoothly, it is more brass colored than my pictures show
Also would you know where I can find out a value, can’t find much on Australian eBay completed.
Regards Sharon

Attachment 20497 Attachment 20498 Attachment 20499 Attachment 20500 Attachment 20501 Attachment 20502 Attachment 20503

Hi Sharon

Yes I think you are right with that number which dates it to 7th November1879.

Do members have any theories on the miniature stamp on the right hand flange (Prince of Wales feathers)?

I am in the possession of the safe in attached picture together with 2 original keys. Inside of the door shows info about the safe and/or lock. I have it from my grandfather who died 1969. I do not believe he bought it new.

Could you provide me with more info ?

Thanks for your help/support.

Pierre

Attachment 20582 Attachment 20583

Hi Pierre and welcome.

Assuming your safe is cast iron, that plate would relate to the lock serial number (rather than a safe serial number) and therefore its date from the registers is 24th Oct 1836.

A nice early example, I'm sure members Huw and Safeman can tell us more about these early cast iron examples. Do tell us the safe dimensions and if you have pictures of the lock inner's we can see which version of the patent it is. The letters 'A' and 'D' on these early lock plates might be significant.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brian Morland

Hi Pierre and welcome.

Assuming your safe is cast iron, that plate would relate to the lock serial number (rather than a safe serial number) and therefore its date from the registers is 24th Oct 1836.

A nice early example, I'm sure members Huw and Safeman can tell us more about these early cast iron examples. Do tell us the safe dimensions and if you have pictures of the lock inner's we can see which version of the patent it is. The letters 'A' and 'D' on these early lock plates might be significant.

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Thanks Brian for this interesting info and letting me join the forum.
I'll post some dimensions and new pictures asap.

Kind regards,

Pierre
2.6.0.0

That really would be interesting to see the mechanism considering the "New Patent" was patented in 1833.

Thanks Kit, I should have spotted that, I may have looked in the wrong register. This is the period where some numbers were duplicated - just to add to the confusion and in some sections of the registers, but that's one reason we are doing all this to try and sort it all out!

I have revised date which could be: 24th Oct 1836 - might become clearer once we see the actual lock.

Hello again. I managed to open the inside of the door that was held by 4 bolts. I opened the lock and took some pictures.

Dimensions of the safe :

72cm x 47 x 36 ( H x W x D) in cm (sorry for that)

This is what I found :

Welcome Pierre, unable to add much other than to say yours is a wonderful example and a rarity fitted with such a nice lock as most of the cast iron chests and early upright safes were more basic.

Many were cast by foundries like Carron's in Scotland who made all manner of products from fireplaces, stoves, post boxes to cannons. They were fitted with (in comparison to yours) very basic box of wards, with the key directly throwing the bolts and a heavy sprung action to retain them in the thrown and withdrawn position, as opposed to the bolts operating off a proper lever lock like yours.

There's been plenty of discussions on the Carron types on here over the years and there's some good general info on this thread from a while back:
https://www.antique-locks.com/showth...ghlight=Carron

Thanks Huw

Quite an unusual piece really since most of the New Patent Safe locks were double gated to allow the Detector to be reset should it become tripped.

It is an early one, it doesn't have a split plate to stop a "Jack-in-the-Box" attack as found on locks from around 1838, I would agree with Brian on the date being between 1835 to 1836, the latter being most likely as Brian stated.

Can you post a few more pics focusing on the Detector, it looks like the Detector hook has broken off. It might just be the picture though.

Looking for any more info or exact dating on this please. Assume about 1900 date and that it is only a 3 lever so it can be easily keyed alike to other products on the display board it cam from.

44.5mm tall including strike plate
77.7mm wide total
54.5mm wide lock box
15.3mm deep total, 12.mm deep lock box
approx. 175 grams weight
2mm diameter pin and max 3.5mm approx. outer key diameter.

some of the others on the display board are cheats, with just spring loaded bolts and no levers or detectors, naughty Chubb engineers.

Hi all,

I have a number of antique Chubb locks for which i would like history information, from the Chubb Company lock registers. Several of the locks have very early numbers. There are a number of lcoks, so i will list them in groups, in several posts. Thank you for your help with this.

And here are rim locks for which I'd like register information. The 6" brass cased lock came from York, the 6" steel cased lock from the South of England, and the 8" steel cased lock from Australia. The latter is new old stock, never having been used.

More locks to date from the registers. In cases where the serial numbers are difficult to read, i have written them beside the lock, on the paper the lock is sitting on. Thanks.

And finally, this wee rim lock. It looks as thought the last digit, or perhaps two digits, of the number have worn off. I am wondering if it will still be possible, with the first five, to locate this lock in the registers. We know, at least, that it is from when the company had moved to 128 Queen Victoria street. I think it is likely, therefore, that the lock is at least in the six, maybe even 7 digits.

This one appears to be the oldest. I'm very interested to know just how early it is. My understanding is that Chubb fitted the round, brass discs to their locks prior to using the more intricate, bell-shaped brass plaque.

Here is a list of the numbers requested:

1182694 - 18 Oct 1889,
207195 - 20 Sep 1849,
436239 - 14 Mar 1864,
646620 - 26 Feb 1872,
145234 - 31 Oct 1844,
1861041 - 8 Jun 1932,
6353 - 19 Jul 1827.

The indistinct numbers have been omitted; also it would be interesting to hear members comments regarding 6353.

I have taken these numbers from a digital copy of the serial number records as the Heritage Room is closed at the moment whilst its greatly expanded; additionaly the Archives are also being moved into the Heritage Room together with a guest workstation facilitating members wanting to do their own research from original archive material. More info on this as referbishment and expansion work progresses.

Hello Brian

Thank you very much for providing dates for these locks. It will, of course, be great to obtain the other information (i.e., description of lock, locksmith who made it..) once you all have completed your alterations and have access to the registers.

There were a couple of numbers overlooked. Would you be able to provide the dates for these also?

1445497 - rim lock

371789 - cash box lock

332576 - large brass padlock

639213 - brass cupboard lock

1668542 - Post Office lock

I had a feeling the small rim lock, No: 6353, was something special. Are there many Chubb locks of that age around?

Kind Regards

Dan

Hello

May I please have the manufacture dates for the following Chubb locks from my personal collection? The serial numbers are listed below, and photos of each lock are included with this post.

Thank you.

129474 - very large brass padlock (85mm wide, 130mm tall)

332576 - large brass padlock (78mm wide, 110mm tall)

519327 - medium brass padlock (72mm wide, 110mm tall)

634047 - huge close shackle brass padlock. (102mm wide, 150mm tall, 37mm thick).

692548 - 6 inch rim deadlock. 6 levers. This lock, and the sister lock to it, are off the vault grill gate of a London Lloyds bank.

692549 - 6 inch rim deadlock. 6 levers. This lock, and the sister lock to it, are off the vault grill gate of a London Lloyds bank.

1241965 - medium brass padlock (66mm wide, 100mm tall)

1270952 - Detent safe lock

1270953 - Detent safe lock

1272757 - Solid brass detent safe lock (102mm x 33mm x 102mm)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brian Morland

Here is a list of the numbers requested:

6353 - 19 Jul 1827.

The indistinct numbers have been omitted; also it would be interesting to hear members comments regarding 6353.
.

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I've discussed this lock with the owner, it's interesting as the number plate is also stamped makers to HRH Prince Albert, however Albert did not become Price Consort until 1840 ,, ?