Railroad Lock (new to site)

[oaktree]

Hey there I am new to the site but I have been an avid metal detectorist for 9 years in middle tennessee im a member of the Midd Tennessee Metal detector club I am at the meeting every month. I dont get online much but, I will try and check back as much as I can. Well here are a few of my finds of late I hope someone knows more info about them.

 

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[TreasureTales]

Welcome oaktree. Nice to have you aboard. Do your locks have any markings or names or patent dates on them? They're nice!

 

[oaktree]

The only markings I have found are the ones on the key cover on the left lock, it looks like a (W8 co.) or a (WS c.). or something to that effect.
Thanks for the reply

 

[TreasureTales]

Could the lock on the left be for the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Company (WSCo.)? Do you live in Wisconsin or Illinois? That's were that railroad operates. The other lock looks like Mickey Mouse in a way. LOL

 

[stoney56]

Could it be possibly W&C Wellsboro & Corning RR?

http://en.allexperts.com/e/w/we/wellsboro_and_corning_railroad.htm

 

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

Oak T,

welcome to the board; hope we will be
seeing a lot more of your finds.

Neat lock.

have a good un.............................
SHERMANVILLE

 

[PBK]

Welcome, Oaktree!

These aren't railroad locks but wrought iron lever locks— collectors call them "smokehouse locks" or "smokies"— and probably around 100-150 years old. Both are listed in Franklin M. Arnall's book, The Padlock Collector, Sixth Edition.

The one on the left has "W & Co." on the drop (keyhole cover), which identifies the maker as Wilcox & Company (a.k.a. William Wilcox & Company) of Middletown, CT, c. 1845-75; later, from 1875 to 1910, the firm was known as the William Wilcox Manufacturing Company.

As far as I can determine, the maker of the lock with the ornate brass bushing (right) remains unknown.

Arnall values the Wilcox lock at $5, and the other lock at $25.

 

[Ant]

It looks like the key is broken off in the Mickey Mouse looking lock.
Nice locks.

HH

 

[oaktree]

Thank you all very much for your replys. I dont know if you could notice but I used reverse electrolysis to clean the locks off. All you need is a battery charger and a piece of stainless steel and a bucket of water and some arm and hammer laundry detergent. I wish I had a pic of what they looked like before I used my cleaning method on them they were not recognizable. Thanks again for the replys

 

[Monty]

Welcome! Railroad switch locks often have the name of the Railway on them somewhere. Like this one I found. Monty

 

[Dodad]

Similiar looking locks can be found at http://www.charleslocksmith.com/PadlockParadise.htm. They have a few railroad locks and have prices that they sell them for. I saw locks that looked close to both your locks on that site.

 

[Montana Jim]

Welcome, Oaktree!

These aren't railroad locks but wrought iron lever locks— collectors call them "smokehouse locks" or "smokies"— and probably around 100-150 years old. Both are listed in Franklin M. Arnall's book, The Padlock Collector, Sixth Edition.

The one on the left has "W & Co." on the drop (keyhole cover), which identifies the maker as Wilcox & Company (a.k.a. William Wilcox & Company) of Middletown, CT, c. 1845-75; later, from 1875 to 1910, the firm was known as the William Wilcox Manufacturing Company.

As far as I can determine, the maker of the lock with the ornate brass bushing (right) remains unknown.

Arnall values the Wilcox lock at $5, and the other lock at $25.

Great ID as always PBK...