Maclok

[Jedifelix17]

Not a detector find but would love to know more about this, what's it for etc.

 

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[Icewing]

If it were mine, and this is not to say you should, I'd have at least tried a flat head screw driver around the edge to see if I could get it to pop open.

 

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[Jedifelix17]

If it were mine, and this is not to say you should, I'd have at least tried a flat head screw driver around the edge to see if I could get it to pop open.

Tried a little gentle levering and a hour of lock picking, no luck.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

It is too old to be computer related, the device you are thinking of is a Maclox.

Why do you think its old? It has a very modern keyhole and the entire piece looks modern.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I haven't been able to find a dateline on the old Coventry Watch Co. but my feeling is that its a completely different company. Its odd that nobody has found anything on the internet. I didn't search every resource available

I put a red arrow on what appears to be the locking bolt. Its in the locked position. But something would have to be inserted into that groove. A second piece that is missing.. Similar to the video posted by Plug N Play.

 

[Geobound]

Sorry I read that wrong, I thought it said Matlock!

 

[Anduril]

I'm curious how this thing got mounted to [whatever?]!
It doesn't look like the kind of thing that would be used in a free-floating, or hand-held configuration.
I do notice what appear to be scratch marks on the back "slot".

Also, the name text on the front looks darker, like it may have had a label over it at some point.
The three verticals on the inside front cover probably will tell the tale of what this is/was actually used for.

 

[Jedifelix17]

I'm basing my opinion of the ltems age on the fact that the manufacturer went out of business quite some time ago, though it looks quite modern, I get the impression it's mid 20th century.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I'm basing my opinion of the ltems age on the fact that the manufacturer went out of business quite some time ago, though it looks quite modern, I get the impression it's mid 20th century.

Yes thats weird that something that looks modern would have a manufacturers name on it that probably went out of business a long time ago. I think that a company could legally use the name of a company out of business. As a matter of fact I just read the famous Florida grocery store chain Publix stole the name from Publix Theatres soon after they went out of business. https://www.floridamemory.com/blog/tag/publix-theatres/

But did you know that Publix Super Market got its name from another business? In a speech given by Publix founder, George Jenkins, which was later published as The Publix Story, he explains his inspiration for the name of his company. He says, “The name ‘Publix’ was borrowed from a chain of theaters which was operating throughout Florida at the time. Most of them were closing up, and I liked the sound of the name so I just took it for my store.”

I think that may have been what happened here. But the new Coventry Watch Co didnt last very long and they soon went out of business themselves. This may even be a prototype and thats why we cant even find the company online.. It says patent but no patent number, not even the word pending.

And like someone said, it looks as if there was a label over it. Maybe another company took over and tried to sell them.

If you bust it open, the only thing you would probably find inside is a locking mechanism. I dont know what a locksmith would charge to make a key probably not worth it. But it is an interesting curiosity item that should be able to be IDed.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Can I ask where did you find this item?

 

[Jedifelix17]

I got it from a box of oddments being sold outside a antique shop.

I'm waiting on a reply from the Coventry museum, if they can't help then it will probably remain a mistery, but has been fun trying to work it out.

 

[Anduril]

No one has yet mentioned the "53c" text. (I don't think?)
I wonder what that is for?

If it's a temperature, (127.4 deg F), that really doesn't help much.

 

[baspinall]

coin mechanism was my first thought

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I used to have a book on antique keys and keyholes. I wish i had it now just to be certain.

 

[Plug N Play]

53c stamped on key ...may be

 

[Jedifelix17]

The 53c was my text thought, I just popped it in the cooker to see if anything happens, grabbing a straws a bit but fun.

Temperature does not have any effect on the device (as expected) and the only relevance I can find to the temperature of 53c is the melting point of lactic acid (not likely to be relevant I think).

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I dont see anywhere or any way to mount the device....unless the other part of the lock is the mount and this part has been removed. That bolt has to engage into a hole of another part, and its possible that missing latch part is also the mount.

I guess the possibility exists that it keeps time inside for some reason and it has been removed from its mount.


Can you explain again what is in that window? Its hard to see in the photo and I didnt understand your description.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

MAC LOK or MA CLOK?

 

[Jedifelix17]

All you can see through the window is a piece of graph paper and a sharp brass pointer ( moves when the key hole cover is slid over) seem the pointer is supposed to mark the paper, though it has snagged the edge and screwed it up.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

the pointer and paper got me thinking.... I wonder if it's not some sort of shock sensor/recorder.... maybe locked to a delicate itemso it couldn't be tampered with, and whoever received it would be able to tell if it was shaken or dropped hard during shipment..... does the pointer move if you shake it around?

I'm probably way off, but it might be something to look into

 

[bradyboy]

at this point, I would take it to a locksmith
looks like a simple key lock, I pic locks
get it open so we can the paper, and look at the mechanics of the interior
Brady