Welcome to our world exploring the Historical, Political and Technological aspects of Locks, Keys and Safes

Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Posts
    2
    Country: United States

    Default Is this an 18th century lock?

    Greetings all from the new guy.

    I recently acquired this lock, reportedly coming from St. Augustine Florida, the oldest city in the US.

    Curious as to origin and date. It seems very similar to other pictures for 18th century locks.

    Questions and comments welcomed.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_0636a.jpg   IMG_0630a.jpg   IMG_0635a.jpg   IMG_0632a.jpg   IMG_0637a.jpg  


  2. #2

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Merlin View Post
    Greetings all from the new guy.

    I recently acquired this lock, reportedly coming from St. Augustine Florida, the oldest city in the US.

    Curious as to origin and date. It seems very similar to other pictures for 18th century locks.

    Questions and comments welcomed.
    It is my experience that the more ornate they are, these stock locks are older than less ornate versions. Because of the brass escutcheon and the iron trim on the other side I would guess your lock to have been assembled right around 1700.
    BBE.

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

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BBE View Post
    It is my experience that the more ornate they are, these stock locks are older than less ornate versions. Because of the brass escutcheon and the iron trim on the other side I would guess your lock to have been assembled right around 1700.
    BBE.
    There are a range of odd things that I dont understand -no doubt due to its country of origin -
    How were 2 bolts operated by one key? I have never seen that on a stock lock.
    The keyhole shape seems too short.
    Looking at the cutout steel, I wonder if the wood is very warped or if the decoration originally wasnt made for that lock, as it doesnt seem to fit properly.
    If this were in the UK then I would have struggled to answer but perhaps plonked for 1870... but this doesnt seem like any of our locks - does it remind anyone of Spanish locks?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    266
    Country: Germany

    Default

    Perhaps a 2-in-1 lock operated by two keys where one is inserted with stem on top and the other on bottom?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Posts
    2
    Country: United States

    Default Mystery Still Open

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Gordon View Post
    There are a range of odd things that I dont understand -no doubt due to its country of origin -
    How were 2 bolts operated by one key? I have never seen that on a stock lock.
    The keyhole shape seems too short.
    Looking at the cutout steel, I wonder if the wood is very warped or if the decoration originally wasnt made for that lock, as it doesnt seem to fit properly.
    If this were in the UK then I would have struggled to answer but perhaps plonked for 1870... but this doesnt seem like any of our locks - does it remind anyone of Spanish locks?
    Great feedback all, and appreciate. The local locksmith went down the path of trying to use one key to open but didn't have the right stock. While the cutout steel does seem a bit oversize, the nails attaching it seem pretty consistent with some of the others on the device. If it originally fit flush and the wood shrunk over age, wouldn't this be consistent to what is seen? Does the panel feel strongly that this is definitely pre-1800 ?

  6. #6

    Question

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Gordon View Post
    There are a range of odd things that I dont understand -no doubt due to its country of origin -
    How were 2 bolts operated by one key? I have never seen that on a stock lock.
    The keyhole shape seems too short.
    Looking at the cutout steel, I wonder if the wood is very warped or if the decoration originally wasnt made for that lock, as it doesnt seem to fit properly.
    If this were in the UK then I would have struggled to answer but perhaps plonked for 1870... but this doesnt seem like any of our locks - does it remind anyone of Spanish locks?
    Hi Tom,

    The double bolt is unique and from looking at the keyhole I believe that if the pin of a key were inserted in the top part of the hole it would operate the top bolt and if a key pin were inserted in the bottom part of the hole it would operate the bottom bolt. The only reason I can think this would be designed this way is for dual custody.

    I have in my collection three stock locks from the 1700's. The first is from a year within 1700. The reverse of that lock is similarly adorned as the one in the OP. The second one came from a house built in 1735 and was the original hardware. The third one is from another house built in 1750. As you can see, the quality went downhill as the years went uphill. All of my locks were imported from GB before the American Revolution, after that manufacturing was done in the US as England could no longer prevent that.

    The back of the 1735 and 1750 locks do not have any adornment on the back.
    BBE.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails DL1J.jpg   DL1I.jpg   DL1H.jpg  

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •