Hello Everyone. I'm hoping somebody may be able to help me with these padlocks. I am collector of antiques and lover of all things old. The passion in my collecting however, is antique kerosene/whale oil lanterns. A friend had been looking to buy one of my best/favorite lanterns for a long time and I always turned him down. Last month, he came by with some cash in his pocket and this box with three never used, near mint condition, brass "Perfection" padlocks with Sept 1882 Patent dates and I fell in love with them! (And there went my lantern!)

For the last month, I have been trying to find out if I should be still crying over the lantern, or joyful over these padlocks. I found that they were made by the Ames Sword Co. of Chicopee, Massachusetts circa 1890's and the two regular locks are of the expected value but I have no idea how to appoint a value to the salesman's sample. At least that's what I think it is, based on the cutaways that show how the gearing works when you turn the key. Just awesome to me!

Now...how I figure value on that piece? Would they be worth more as a set if I decide to buy my lantern back?? LOL!! Thanks!!