My Nicest Old Lock Yet! Any help with age appreciated

[Ahab8]

Had a small window this morning and I wanted to hike in to an area to see what it looked like. The path in is close to rr tracks and on the hike I got a big loud signal and out came this old lock. I know it's not super old but I've always wanted to find a nice looking old lock and this baby fits that description. Amazingly I took my thumb and was able to easily push the lock cover over. Amazing that it still works so easily. We just don't make big rugged items like this anymore. I'd love to know the age and any info about it. Thanks guys. I'm guessing mid 1800s

 

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[WheatWaffle]

Nice find!

 

[Darby]

Super nice lock! In great shape too. Congrats Ahab8!

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Nice one Abe! The lock sort of resembles some of the padlocks used in the late 1700s, but something tells me its not quite that old. I'm sure you can tie it down closer if you do a little research.

 

[park pirate]

Dont know how old it is, but a nice one for sure...

 

[Old Dude]

Looks like the barrel on the key would have been hollow, so it would have been cast and not blacksmith'ed, so definitely not real old. Beautiful old lock though. No writing on it at all?

 

[Carolina Tom]

That is a nice find my man. Congrats.

 

[NHBandit]

appears to be a railroad lock and there may be RR markings on the loop. Nice find. They are still in use today

 

[Ahab8]

Looks like the barrel on the key would have been hollow, so it would have been cast and not blacksmith'ed, so definitely not real old. Beautiful old lock though. No writing on it at all?

I was told that it was common for lock makers back then to not mark there locks. I guess it was very easy for thiefs to get picks for the different makers and it made it tougher for them to figure it out by not having them marked. I was told this was in the mid 1800s so I'm not sure if this fits for mine or not

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

"this one fits that description"

Yes it does. Strangely an old lock has eluded my coil all this time too, so I'd be quite happy with that one, or similar.

 

[ironhorse]

Nice old lock!

I've found way more pieces over the years than complete ones, you're fortunate to have it intact

 

[OutdoorAdv]

Awesome find! It looks like a similar design to my B&O Railroad Box Car Lock! I found this one close to a railroad too... the B&O Railroad! ha Solid brass and heavy duty... also looks about the same size as yours.



The date on this one is 1920's to 1930's, made by Fraim-Slaymaker Hardware Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania

 

[46Wheat]

Thank you for sharing your hunt and those pictures with us

 

[pepperj]

RR padlock for sure, they usually made two key styles for most of the switch locks. Most antique or junk shops have the keys for sale for a few bucks. Clean the lock up and try out a key or two, as it'll probably work just fine. Dug a few over the years and most turned out to be in working condition. Nice find for sure.

 

[treblehunter]

Sweet lock

 

[cjon455]

That's a real nice old lock, I wouldn't have a clue how to date it, but cool nonetheless

 

[treblehunter]

My old lock after i zapped it to clean it.

 

[MichiganMan]

Solid.

 

[TNGUNS]

Cool find Abe. Now go find the strongbox full of gold it was originally put on. Wouldn't put it past ya. Congrats.

 

[lockster99]

Ahab8, If your padlock has any markings under the patina, it would probably be on the shackle or the drop (key hole cover). Very small and maybe just pat. date or dates if on shackle. It may have been used by a railroad, but more likely to lock a warehouse, tool chest or the like. Railroads loved to stamp or have cast into the padlocks their initials. Also most had a clevis to attach a chain to the bottom of the padlock. My guess would be it's a J.H.W. Climax or Wilson Bohannan. Just a guess.....many other makers out there. Nice find either way.