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  1. #1

    Question Sea Chest Half Mortise Lock-Need help identifying

    I inherited a sea chest from my great grandfather who lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US. I know the sea chest dates from at least 1849 by corroborative provenance, but I am trying to determine how much earlier it may have been made. I have been informed that the lock, which is identical to the photo, is English. My lock appears identical in every respect except that the lock says 4 TUMBLER in the curvilinear stamped area. Would any one have any idea who produced these locks and/or when they were produced. It is possible, I suppose, that the lock was added after the sea chest was crafted. Thanks for any possible help.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails half mortise sea chest lock.jpg  

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Posts
    259
    Country: UK

    Default box lock

    This appears to me to be machine-made. If so, it will be a later, 20C, replacement. (A common occurrence, especially with boxes.) The key also looks 20C, and could be US.

    In the 19-20C, most everybody and his brother in Willenhall made unmarked cabinet locks, for sale to wholesalers - hence no maker's name. There continued to be a lively export trade to US, until the Great War, so that is probably the limits of age: c. first decade 20C.

    However, there were some basic lever locks being [hand-]made in the 19C, so that is possible.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Devon UK
    Posts
    3,117
    Country: UK

    Default

    Because it says tumbler rather than lever would that possibly point towards the lock being made in America?

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