Tann Showcase Exhibition Locks

[Doug MacQueen]

Very nice locks. Can you put approximate dates on them? From what I understand the distinctive aspect of these locks is the guarded lever against picking. To your knowledge, how successful was the design? Also, do you have an idea when the cutaway was done? Doug

[Brian Morland]

Hi Doug, yes we are particularly proud of these fine showcase exhibition locks. The guarded lever is both the most well-known and the most enduring of the Tann features, lasting virtually to the end. It made the tentative method all but impossible, most tech’s hated them. As regards the date almost certainly they were first exhibited in the 1862 Exhibition, certainly Tann had moved from Hackney Road by 1864/65. A firm called Walters made Tann’s locks but it’s not certain if the fretting, engraving and silver plating, which is original, was also done by them.

[Brian Morland]

A little more info in this piece I did for 'The Locksmith'...

There is a lot more research to do and since we have another 15 or so of these early highly fretted/engraved locks. The style of the fretting and engraving should eventually lead to a better understanding of their chronology. There are few photos or engravings of the showcases that have come to light so far but we are hopeful that the reels of micro film of Tann documents might reveal some more information - once we can find a reader!

[Adrian Weber]

Very Interesting information Brian. If you need help on dating engravings I know a specialist for that kind of stuff. He still does hand engravings and is a real master of his art!

Do you need someone to digitalise these old microfilms?
I also know a guy doing that so just let me know.