Need Help With Info On Padlock

[lanekamp]

I've attached a few pictures of an old padlock my dad gave me. I was hoping someone could give me a little information about it. I'm very curious.

Much appreciated.

Thanks

Lane Kamp

[Reba729]

Hi, I have a Star brass crab style patent in March 1870. I research the inventor of my padlock, Louis Hillebrand. The patten # on mine is 00100402 and was made for several years for different uses. Mine was touted as a luggage lock and another one I saw was sold as a dog lock. The original company was known as Hillebrand & Wolf. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company was taken over and I think Star locks are still made under a different name. If you do a web search for Star Locks places pop up. I would suggest you visit antique-padlocks.com. That's where I found mine and got some good information. Good luck and happy hunting. Reba

[Dean Nickel]

That patent is incorrect for that padlock pictured above.
IMPROVEMENT IN PADLOCKS - Google Patent Search

[Reba729]

Thanks BBE. Knew it must have a name, everything does. Was this an aftermarket item sold by another company or by the manufacturing company, if you know? Now I have to find a clevis and a key!!!!!!

[BBE]

Thanks BBE. Knew it must have a name, everything does. Was this an aftermarket item sold by another company or by the manufacturing company, if you know? Now I have to find a clevis and a key!!!!!!

I don't know how I didn't see this 5 years ago, but, the clevis and chain is typically an option offered by the manufacturer. There are some available in the aftermarket but typically they are also from manufacturers and designed to fit their own brands. HTH,
BBE.

[Reba729]

Hi again Lane, Hope Halflock didn't think my patent number was the number for your lock because it's not. Two entirely different locks. I've got some extra time so I'll serf the site I suggested and a couple others and see if I can find your lock.

Take care and have a good day. Reba729

---------- Post added at 03:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:25 PM ----------

Just got off antique-padlocks.com If you go to Padlocks for Sale or Trade and also Padlocks Wanted, David Heuermann has some Scandinvian padlocks shown. None is yours but if you e-mail him, as I did, he may be interested in buying yours or can put you in touch with someone who can give you specifics on your lock. That's how I got my patent number. Once again, Good Luck. Reba729

[oldbiscuit]

Lanekamp, It's possible that it could have been used on a cell door in a jail,but without any paperwork or firsthand account to that fact it would be all speculation. Anyone could take a article from that time frame and put a badge with it and make any kind of claim they wanted and how could you prove them right or wrong. Beyond that point though you still have a very nice collectable lock. Like Angusbuddy said it should be worth in the neighborhood of $100-$175, especially given the fact that it has the origional working key Mark
P.S. Star Lock Works was the largest manufacturer of Scandinavian locks but has been out of business since 1926

[Dean Nickel]

Sorry, If I see a patent number I like to look it up and see what it is. I try to learn about the start of locks this way. I had made the mistake of thinking that your lock you were talking about was like his.

[Reba729]

Hi Halflock, Like your handle. I'm not so creative. Just getting into this as I inherited my padlock from my grandfather many years ago and finally decided to find out about it. Think I'm hooked. What kind of lock do you have? Think I will concentrated on locks by Star Lock Works, invented by Louis Hillebrand. Not to expensive and a place to start. Have you gotten into going to he US patent office yet? Not easy to find these old locks with the system they have. Have a good one. Reba729

[oldbiscuit]

Reba,If your really interested in collecting padlocks,may I suggest a couple of books? #1 The Padlock Collector by Franklin M. Arnall (sixth edition May 1996 is the last edition) #2 Early Locks and Lockmakers of America by Thomas F. Hennessy (it's listed on this web sitehttp://www.lockmuseum.com/index.html ). If you look on Ebay,there are Star padlocks that come up quite often as there are many different sizes and styles out there. Welcome to a fun hobby and never feel afraid to ask questions,we may not have the answers but we sure will give it our best shot. Mark