Need Info on an old lock I found...

[erjmccarthy]

I was on a camping trip with my parents as a child and we where on a hiking trail around a lake in northen NH.. I noticed a piece of rusted metal sticking out of the ground.. I decided to dig it up to see what it was since it was in the middle of no where.. It ended up being fragments of cast iron, what it was, I have no idea.. I did discover an old rusty lock, after cleaning it up I tried to find out more about it... If anyone could tell me about this lock, please do... Thank you..

[erjmccarthy]

Well, I did some research of my own and this is what I found.... I quess it is a story lock, whatever that is.... Manufactured by the shaymaker company out of P.A. If anybody could tell me the value and how old it is, I would greatly appreciate it........

[oldlock]

I don't think it's a story lock, they are quite different and usually have complex embossed or cast designs. I think there was a similair lock on ebay a while back. It sold for over a $100 but I can't recall exactly how much.

[oldbiscuit]

That's a story lock called a " canteen " . Are you interested in selling? I'm always looking for the odd ball locks. Let me know. thanks, Mark

[oldlock]

That's a story lock called a " canteen " .

Why is it called the ' canteen ' ? I am familiar with story locks such as the ' chinaman ' & ' hunchback ' but this is a new one on me ?

[oldbiscuit]

If you look at the lock upside down( bale down) it resembles a civil war canteen. That really is what it's called. Mark

[erjmccarthy]

I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I want to find out more about it, I'm ah stickler for detail. Might be the first piece of my future lock collection. Been checking out quides but still haven't found one on locks at my local book stores. If I am to sell you will be the first person I contact, Mark. Thanks for all the help, Eric.

[BBE]

In January of 2002 a Canteen story lock was up for auction on Ebay. In that auction the seller declined the sale at $649.79US because it did not meet the minimum required bid. That particular Slaymaker lock is quite rare and highly valued.

To date there are more than 100 different locks that have been declared story locks. BTW, it is my understanding that the 'Story Lock' description comes from someone saying "if that lock could talk, imagine the story it would tell."
BBE.

[erjmccarthy]

Wow! I should go back to where I found it with a metel detector... It's been more then 15 years though... Are there any books out there that could tell me more?? I'm starting to get an itch for lock collecting... Again, thank you all for your help... The only place I have been that could give me any info on this, sweet forum....

[djhlocks]

You may find info on this lock and all of the other story locks at: http://www.antique-padlocks.com/story.htm

Be well.
David