Early Chubb 1K55 Stainless Steel Hercules- a beauty!

[oldlock]

My reply should have been in the past tense, of course it would no longer be in production with the demise of the chubb name.

[Arcade Al]

My reply should have been in the past tense, of course it would no longer be in production with the demise of the chubb name.

Yes, I did assume past tense, but I still wasn't aware that any rubbish disguised as Chubb had been in production in China, even before the demise of the brand.

[Ian D. Lewis]

On a similar line, what is this Chubb badged lock here:
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/171233482060

It couldn't ever be described as an attractive lock!

This looks like the American Locks Padlock that was rebadged Chubb and came with a Corbin Cylinder.

[Ian D. Lewis]

same for me Adrian- I know it's nothing compared to a real classic antique, but I loved it when I first saw it as a kid and kept it ever since. It's one I'll probably never part with and compared to what the Hercules evolved into its got a beautiful shape and finish
Attachment 10871
Can't fault this one though- still in daily service even if it has got the aesthetics and charm of a house brick. Chubb's so-called 'spheroidal graphite iron' they supposedly used for these is in fact about as soft and porous as a house brick
So I didn't take any chances on this one- I drilled it at strategic points and filled it with Deloro stellite plugs

Still available but with a Union core now, and called the Union 1K57 Hercules.

[Arcade Al]

This looks like the American Locks Padlock that was rebadged Chubb and came with a Corbin Cylinder.

I thought the core resembled something else, but all I could think was Medeco and knew that couldn't possibly be right!

Still available but with a Union core now, and called the Union 1K57 Hercules.

It was available with a 6-pin core back when Chubb produced it, I could never work out why anyone would choose that over the AVA...

The AVA core is also still available, at least according to the Union site:
http://www.uniononline.co.uk/en/site...productId=1323

[Ian D. Lewis]

Like all the other Chubb top of the range locks they are now Badged as Union C-Series, for the AVA version. Only thing is they don't seem to be openly selling the Hercules as a C-Series. Probably a cost thing and requires special order and a long wait.

[Tom Gordon]

I chose the 6 pin version of this lock over the ava for my own garage because the ava (although very resistant to dirt and water and corrosion) is often a bit of a pain to operate on these padlocks.

[Arcade Al]

I chose the 6 pin version of this lock over the ava for my own garage because the ava (although very resistant to dirt and water and corrosion) is often a bit of a pain to operate on these padlocks.

True, although testing one of my own I find that when the barrel is facing downwards it effortlessly drops downwards when the key is turned, however when oriented sideways it sometimes catches a little.

[Huw Eastwood]

True, although testing one of my own I find that when the barrel is facing downwards it effortlessly drops downwards when the key is turned, however when oriented sideways it sometimes catches a little.

That's probably just gravity doing it's job Al unless yours is sticking or has a fault. Mines mounted horizontally- didn't have any choice as it's on a wacky application and a custom fitting I welded up in stainless, but I think they're originally intended for vertical mounting so the cylinder drops down to unlock. The brick versions have a much sharper chamfer angle on the top edge to deflect any downward impact blows.

Mine gets all the weather thrown at it but it's always sweet to use- plenty of graphite in the Ava and white grease inside on the 2 locking balls and I never have any trouble. Like Tom said though, they can be a bit of a pain when it's dark, tipping down with rain and you've got your hands full

[Janish]

I had inherited the 1k55 a couple of years ago and alway thought it was a great design, glad to know some history.

Thought I'd dig this one out to show you as it's one of my favourites and I don't think Chubb made very many- they soon switched to a different design which led on to the big block with the sliding locking pin recessed into the back, replacing the shackle entirely and turning the Hercules into more of a lockable brick. I think I have one of each type, so I'll see if I can find the others.

Far from antique I know, but for me this has to be one of the most beautiful modern padlocks- almost bordering on art/sculpture- and it's in stainless steel
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The telephone number for a London W1 address amazed me- I'd forgotten the mini leaflet was in the box
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Had it from new- it's never been used and I can't say I've ever seen another, although I'm sure they must be out there