American Lock Manufacturing Co of Chicago
American Lock Manufacturing Co of Chicago appears in the Automobile Trade Directory of January 1922. The ad indicates it was formerly Baird Lock Company and uses the trademark, "Grip Tumbler."
Edward P Baird was instrumental in the development of the "modern" wafer lock in the early teens while working with King Lock Company first, and then his own company, Chicago Cabinet Lock Company. After selling Chicago Cabinet Lock in 1921 to William Shinn, who changed the name to Chicago Lock, he formed Baird Lock Company. The actual formation of American Lock Manufacturing Company is still a mystery to me, but Baird Lock Co and American Lock Manufacturing Co shared the same address on LaSalle Street in early 1922. By August 1922 the two companies had moved, and again shared the same address, this time on Wells Street.
acquisition of american lock mfg co
i suspect american lock was acquired by junkunc in 1922 or later... not really a big deal in the whole scheme of things, but might as well try for accuracy when we find conflicting information...