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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[DigginDownUnder]

Here's my climax lock I found recently.

 

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[Ahab8]

Some great looking locks guys and great info as well. I appreciate it. Good luck out there

 

[I-DIG-IT]

Nice digs.

 

[jwarner51]

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.

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

looks older than that to me....

 

[OutdoorAdv]

looks older than that to me....

You know... I thought so too. It just looks old! Since Ahab8's appeared to be a RR lock, I thought it might help with dating. I don't know much about locks (except they're awesome to dig). but I would assume that its not necessarily the style of them, but rather how they were made and the mechanism they used, which would better determine date. A similar B&O lock was dated Western & Eastern Treasures Magazine - Ask Mark Parker here (second item down). So I concluded my research when I saw that link! It's too bad there are not any markings on Ahab8's which could help with the date.

My favorite and oldest lock is one I dug years ago and I believe dates to the early to mid 1800's. Parts of it appear hand forged. The copper\brass had an amazing emerald green patina.... that I had to ruin when I stabilized the iron with electrolysis. (It was slowly flaking away over the years before i zapped it)

 

[lockster99]

Very similar padlocks to Ahad's can have a pat. date of atleast back to the 1870's, but agree that the style was used up until atleast the 20's. I'm sure bigger companies kept a large stash and continued using them even later.

 

[RelicMedic]

Gorgeous lock Abe! stunning condition as well!