Old Padlock

[Hawks88]

Got out for a couple of hours at a new permission earlier today and in the first 10 minutes I got a good hit on the nox. Dug down about 10 inches and pulled this out Its now soaking in oil to loosen things up so I can pick some of the rust off a little easier. Says VR patent on the key cover. I searched online and found some that are very close but I haven’t found one with the diamond shape key cover. Any help with age would be appreciated. Thanks and HH.

 

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[Joe-Dirt]

I have “heard” that the locks with the “ears” are from the late 18th to the mid 19th century but I have absolutely no way to back up that statement soooooooooooo............... I dunno..........however, I did dig its little brother earlier this year

 

[paleomaxx]

The "VR" stands for Victoria Regina which means the lock was made during her reign (1837-1901). Based on the style I'd say sometime in the 1840's through 1860's. Cool find!

 

[silverfreak]

Cool find!

 

[Hawks88]

I have “heard” that the locks with the “ears” are from the late 18th to the mid 19th century but I have absolutely no way to back up that statement soooooooooooo............... I dunno..........however, I did dig its little brother earlier this year

That’s a nice one Bob. How did you clean it?

 

[Hawks88]

The "VR" stands for Victoria Regina which means the lock was made during her reign (1837-1901). Based on the style I'd say sometime in the 1840's through 1860's. Cool find!

Thank you paleomaxx much appreciated.

 

[Hawks88]

Cool find!

Thank you silverfreak.

 

[Joe-Dirt]

That’s a nice one Bob. How did you clean it?

The only thing I did was let it dry out and then took a dry toothbrush to it. It was pretty stable to begin with

 

[Wildcat1750]

Nice looking lock you found, and I can't wait to see how much better it looks after a clean up!

 

[smallfoot]

Cool old padlock! Here's some links that may be of interest:

Padlock Index

https://www.antiquesnavigator.com/s/search-Antique+Padlocks-smokehouse.html

 

[Hawks88]

Nice looking lock you found, and I can't wait to see how much better it looks after a clean up!

I’m hoping I can get it a little better than it looks right now. Thanks Wildcat

 

[Hawks88]

Cool old padlock! Here's some links that may be of interest:

Padlock Index

https://www.antiquesnavigator.com/s/search-Antique+Padlocks-smokehouse.html

Thanks smallfoot. I will check them out.

 

[dirtlooter]

don't know if electrolysis would work for that or not. it just screams old and cool! sweet find!

 

[Whyme]

That's a nice old padlock you found! Congrats! Can't wait to see it all cleaned up.

 

[Joe-Dirt]

Any updates Dave??

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Great looking 'Smokehouse' or 'Mickey Mouse' padlock find my friend!
I've found quite a few of these in my area, I've tumbled them all for preservation.

Here are a couple of before and after pics of how one lock looked after tumbling.
You're fortunate to have found an example with the keyhole cover still intact.
Dave

 

[against the wind]

Sweet looking lock,,
Congratulations

 

[Possum]

Love the Padlock Hawk, looks like a nice place to hunt, congrats my friend!!! "D"

 

[digginginVA]

I found a very similar lock (a few years ago on my property). Does not have a key cover, but the shape is very much the same (looks like a heart).
Lots of rust and dirt... now to clean it up.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Awesome find, probably around 1840 - 1850! Nice find!