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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    4
    Country: Belgium

    Default Ancient lock to identify - help please !

    Hello
    Please see attached foto of my ancient lock.
    Can somebody help me and tell me about its origin, age, etc?
    That would be great!
    Thanks in advance
    David
    Belgium
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Lock.jpg  

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    4
    Country: UK

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dlories View Post
    Hello
    Please see attached foto of my ancient lock.
    Can somebody help me and tell me about its origin, age, etc?
    That would be great!
    Thanks in advance
    David
    Belgium
    I think its origin is Holland but i am not confirmed i think following is resource from where you can get some information related to this.
    http://jvpoll.home.xs4all.nl/wdo/ROME/ARAPAC.HTM

    regards
    thanks

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    4
    Country: Belgium

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by colin222 View Post
    I think its origin is Holland but i am not confirmed i think following is resource from where you can get some information related to this.
    http://jvpoll.home.xs4all.nl/wdo/ROME/ARAPAC.HTM

    regards
    thanks
    Colin,
    Thanks but the link you are referring to is about "ROME"...correct? Tks David

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    California, USA
    Posts
    216
    Country: United States

    Default Ancient lock to identify - please help!

    You have a very interesting and old lock, but it is definately not ancient. It's could be medieval or Renaissance. I'm intrigued with the double keyholes. Can the lock be opened to view the mechanism? Are the keyholes on both sides or only on one side? The design on the lock case looks like a monogram with a crown over it, but I don't recognize it. Additional pictures might provide a hint to its age.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    4
    Country: Belgium

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    Quote Originally Posted by Scott Klemm View Post
    You have a very interesting and old lock, but it is definately not ancient. It's could be medieval or Renaissance. I'm intrigued with the double keyholes. Can the lock be opened to view the mechanism? Are the keyholes on both sides or only on one side? The design on the lock case looks like a monogram with a crown over it, but I don't recognize it. Additional pictures might provide a hint to its age.
    Many many thanks for your reply. I have attached more pics of the lock. Yes the keyholes are on both sides. The dimension is 22,5cm x 15cm. It would be great if you could tell me more about it. Thanks ! David

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_3885a.jpg  

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    California, USA
    Posts
    216
    Country: United States

    Default Ancient lock to identify - please help!

    Your lock is known as a rim lock. That means it's mounted on the inside of the door with the fancy side showing. A long key would need to be used to pass through the thickness of the door and engage the lock. There are no posts within the keyholes, so we know it used a solid stem key. I found the duel keyholes puzzling, but I think I have an idea how it was used. The bit (i.e. the key's flag-like projection) was irregular as opposed to the two sides being mirror images of each other. This meant that it could not be operated from both sides with the same key if there was only a single keyhole. Hence, the need for two keyholes with the same ward pattern that could be used on either side of the door. (A ward is an obstruction that blocks the key from turning unless a corresponding cut is made on the key.) This is my guess as to it's age (for whatever it's worth). It's very primitive features suggests to me a date of 1500's or earlier. I know I'm being a bit speculative, but I hope this helps anyway. Scott

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    4
    Country: Belgium

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    Quote Originally Posted by dlories View Post
    Many many thanks for your reply. I have attached more pics of the lock. Yes the keyholes are on both sides. The dimension is 22,5cm x 15cm. It would be great if you could tell me more about it. Thanks ! David

    Click image for larger version. 

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Views:	54 
Size:	1.33 MB 
ID:	6884
    Click image for larger version. 

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Views:	46 
Size:	468.2 KB 
ID:	6885
    Thank you Scott. Your explaination is very interesting. Many thanks for sharing your knowledge about it! Any idea about its origin?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    California, USA
    Posts
    216
    Country: United States

    Default Ancient lock to identify - please help!

    Sorry David, I can't give you a definitive answer concerning its origin. At first I thought it might be Spanish. Spanish locks tend to show a strong Gothic influence (as seen in the archtectual features on the lock), and are not as intricate and ornate as their French and Italian counterparts. And, of course, we both know that the Spanish Hapsburgs once ruled Belgium. However, even if there is some Spanish stylistic influence, I believe it was most likely made by a local locksmith from Belgium or the Netherlands. But, of course, this is more speculation on my part. Take it for what it's worth.

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