'P' lock logo

[Paul Challoner]

It's amazing the amount of information you'll find on here if you use the search function Paul, and padlocks being especially popular have been well covered over the years. The various Indian repros and similar from Bulgaria, Syria etc have been discussed many many times, and it'd take a book to list all the points to look out for and everything important to note!

Thanks Huw. I take your point. I have started searching already and see that it's as you say. I wasn't aware of Bulgaria & Syria were part of the problem.

I also found this site to be quite revealing, in terms of types of locks available, the prices (approx. 100 rupees to the pound) and the production capacities in terms of pieces/day.
https://m.indiamart.com/
It didn't come up in forum search so hopefully may be of interest to members.

[Huw Eastwood]

To be honest Paul i think they're probably only the tip of the iceberg. Whereas Aligarh and Jodhpur are the most well known and established, these days it seems they are coming from all over.
There are a lot of countries still using very old techniques for working metals, so a lot of such workshops dotted all over the world.

Lost count a few years ago how many times you'd see antique padlocks on auction sites or online dealers for anything upto £500+ ,that were the exact padlocks being sold by online shops like scaramanga for 20 or 30 quid!

[nathanbonstein]

just my take,but i found 99.9 % to me is the key,certainly india keys to me are a giveaway
thank you

[chubbbramah]

Iran is another country where locks were made using centuries-old techniques and patterns. Makes dating difficult, but when an 'antique' lock comes with two original keys, be wary. 'Rare' is another adjective to view with scepticism. Keep watching auction sites over time, some things become less rare ... . Although the Internet facilitation of sales from around the world has brought into view items which were previously thought to be rare, and some actually are.

[Huw Eastwood]

It's worthwhile for anyone who's collecting those sort of padlocks to scour online shops like scaramanga to get familiar with the sort of repro stuff that's constantly being churned out of those countries and then often resold the world over.

[chubbbramah]

Also look carefully at the keys. A general similarity of style in manufacture will soon become apparent, the same whether the lock is anonymous, or a 'Hobbs' or even a 'Chobbs' lock. And (still) having two 'original' keys with a cheap 'antique' lock is a real reason to be cautious.

There are also numerous copies of the Squire old english padlocks from the Far East — possibly Taiwan. They are sold particularly in USA, purporting to be made in Britain for the Admiralty, by a [non-existant] lockmaker. Many are marked 'Jared'. These do have good copies of the Squire key style.
There is an amusing YT video on one Jared padlock here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULUz...dpZWdodA%3D%3D