I'd guess Chatwood had patented that before Ratcliffe and Horner even made safes!
According to Paul on this site :)-:
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I'd guess Chatwood had patented that before Ratcliffe and Horner even made safes!
According to Paul on this site :)-:
Well If Tom can find the number on his Chatwood lock perhaps this would give an indication of just how old the design is? But without doing any research, how long have Kromer been been around? also are not most of their designed locks are of a double bitted nature?
Oh and talking of Kromer anybody seen the Kromer "Pork Pie" lock thats up for sale on ebay that lock is a classic a Tann service engineers nightmare lol :(whew):
Just to keep Alan happy....and of course Chatwood bought hundreds of the Kromer pork pies on at least two occasions to fit onto their safes, although a slightly different version to the one on ebay.
18th August 1883 600 12-lever locks bought from Kromers
This simpler lock from Kromer was 1940/50ish
From what I have found Theodor Kromer patented his Protector in the 1870's. He is supposed to have worked for lock company here in the States prior to that time. The changeable style that is used on the Kromer Convar, Ratner, Chatwood and others, dates back into the mid 1800's, at least here in the US. A 1864 MacNeale patented combination lock is the clearest example but the idea go back even further. Doug
Here are a couple patents. The 1864 MacNeale isn't as clear as the William Hall of 1865. Doug
So we will settle for Kromer then? Interesting subject though I have seen the keys and locks for these later 40/50s ones but never had the need to strip one down.
My Chatwood example is 1899 but the lock was made from 1877 at which time is was described as a "new changeable key lock".