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Thread: pay toilet lock

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2015
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    3
    Country: United States

    Default pay toilet lock

    i am looking to buy an old pay toilet lock, commonly used years ago in white castles, 5 & dimes, gas stations, etc.

    they were usually polished chrome.

    i have an example pictured.

    any info would be appreciated.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails pay toilet.jpg  

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Devon UK
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    3,117
    Country: UK

    Default

    Being in the UK I have no idea what a White Castle is, but typically over here the locks are cast brass.
    Are you wishing to use it, or do you wish to purchase it for a collection?
    What were you hoping to find out about it?
    Is this one that you are being offered or an example of one you want?
    Regards

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Tonawanda, NY, USA
    Posts
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    Country: United States

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by absorbine View Post
    i am looking to buy an old pay toilet lock, commonly used years ago in white castles, 5 & dimes, gas stations, etc.
    they were usually polished chrome.
    i have an example pictured.
    any info would be appreciated.
    Monarch Coin & Security Inc. offers their Universal Coin Operated Restroom Lock. These are custom made to order and can be operated by coin or token. I think they sell for around $300.00, see website:
    http://monarchcoin.com/coin-operated-door-lock
    The Nik-O-Lok is a similar device however I'm told these are leased and never sold although some may have gone astray of the supplier, see link:
    http://www.nikolok.com/
    Note that the use of these in public restrooms is unlawful in certain areas, I believe New York state is one.

    Pete Schifferli

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2015
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    3
    Country: United States

    Default thanks for quickly replying!

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Gordon View Post
    Being in the UK I have no idea what a White Castle is, but typically over here the locks are cast brass.
    Are you wishing to use it, or do you wish to purchase it for a collection?
    What were you hoping to find out about it?
    Is this one that you are being offered or an example of one you want?
    Regards
    presently, i know about a brass one on ebay.

    i am preferably looking for the old polished chrome type, like in my picture.

    if i get one, i will mount it on my bathroom dorr, as a gag. it will not be functional.

    therefore, if i find one, it actually doesn't need to work.

    thanks again

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Posts
    3
    Country: United States

    Default thanks for the quick reply, pete!

    Quote Originally Posted by Pschiffe View Post
    Monarch Coin & Security Inc. offers their Universal Coin Operated Restroom Lock. These are custom made to order and can be operated by coin or token. I think they sell for around $300.00, see website:
    http://monarchcoin.com/coin-operated-door-lock
    The Nik-O-Lok is a similar device however I'm told these are leased and never sold although some may have gone astray of the supplier, see link:
    http://www.nikolok.com/
    Note that the use of these in public restrooms is unlawful in certain areas, I believe New York state is one.

    Pete Schifferli
    pete

    as i described in my post, i am looking for an old one. i am aware of some of the companies that you posted. in fact, i did call nik-o-lok, today.

    but i really hope to find an old chrome one in nice shape. it will not be for commercial use, just as a gag prop for my restroom. in fact, it doesn't matter if it still works.

    thanks again

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Lancaster, PA USA
    Posts
    23
    Country: United States

    Default

    I don't have a lock, but I do have a pile of 1923 sales literature, brochures and correspondence from makers of pay-toilet coin locks. Represented are The American Coin Lock Co, Universal Sales Co, Indiana Lock Company and Universal Service Corporation, plus a single letter from McCord & Frazier Reliable Sanitary Locks. All are from July-August 1923. Photos at the link.

    https://goo.gl/photos/ZJc4zppqm38GuqLi7

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Lancaster, PA USA
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    Default

    Group pic of the paper.

    Attachment 15831

  8. #8
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    May 2014
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    Lancaster, PA USA
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    Is the image showing?

    Quote Originally Posted by Citydweller View Post
    Group pic of the paper.

    Attachment 15831

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Devon UK
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    3,117
    Country: UK

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Citydweller View Post
    Is the image showing?
    $72 in the 1920's
    WOW!!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Posts
    48
    Country: United States

    Default

    man I've been looking to get a working one of these with keys for a while :(

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