Restell's Patent cabinet lock

[Huw Eastwood]

This is one I've never been able to find out much about- very average construction with a barrel and curtain and a comb spring for the 2 levers. Not sure where Restell's Patent comes into it as it has no outstanding features or noticeable differences from countless other locks of similar design. It is made to a reasonable finish though- the stump is nicely polished and a very good fit through the gatings.

[Adrian Weber]

Needs some oiling and cleaning, nice lock though.

[tbstreet]

The chief innovation of Thomas Restell's British patent 13,852/51 of 8 December 1851 was the disc seen here, added as an impediment to picking the lock. It is not very impressive in such a simple lock, but it was used in much more complex ones. (Also, there may be a bit lost here to wear and tear.) The Encyclopaedia Britannica, until at least 1860, in a brief sub-article on Restell's lock under "LOCKS," said "it is an improvement upon any of the locks made before 1851." Restell made quite a bit of money off the patent because it was cheap and it worked.

Might I know the exact marking, as it is illegible in the appended image?

NB I am not a lock fan, but a Restell NUT.

[Huw Eastwood]

Thanks tbstreet, I'll dig it out and see if there are any other markings.

The disc visible on this one is simply the flange of the barrel and curtain. Restell did as you say, make more advanced versions, but on this example it is just a basic barrel and curtain which I'm pretty sure other makers were already featuring in their locks around that time, so whether he was first or not seems doubtful on the basic principle. I'll dig it out and see what it says but I think from memory it is just 'Restell's Patent'.

[Huw Eastwood]

Good job I checked, it also says 'universal' under the Restell's Patent!

[tbstreet]

Thanks for your response, MaxV!

Restell made an awfull lot of money off the patent fror that disc for him not to have originated it. He also sent the comprtition into a frenzy of copying because it was so cheap and sold so well.

The lock illustrated in this thread is marked "RESTELL'S PATENT" in two upward arched lines, with a brand name under them in a single downward arched line. It is the brand name in which I am interested.

NB Would you like to see the contemporary Britannica article on it?

[tbstreet]

Thanks for that third line!

The 1857 Britannica article says of Restell's patented lock,"the only peculiarity of it is the addition of a disc at the bottom of the barrel in the same plane as the bolt." The bolt can only pass when a cut in the disc is directly under a tooth in the bolt. At all other times, the disc, partly within the bolt, holds it fast and prevents any pressure on the tumbler(s). "It is an improvement over any of the locks made before 1851."