Smokehouse Lock question

[Papadoc]

Hi all, I usually lurk this site, don't often post. I am amazed at the knowledge base here.
A couple of summers ago I found a heart shaped padlock with "W&Co" on the brass plate, after looking on the web, I see a lot of "MW&Co" locks, and after searching on this site I've learned that this was the same company. I was wondering if the "W&Co" locks were more rare? We're the W&Co locks prior to the companies coming together?
I also learned that this was a "smokehouse" lock, I thought it was maybe a railroad lock.
thanks for any info.
Brett

 

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[nhbenz]

I don't doubt your research, but I believe W&Co. is Wilcox & Co., where M.W. & Co is Mallory Wheeler &. Co. So, are you sure it is the same company? (I truly don't know one way or the other).
Added: Do you by chance mean W.W. & Co.?, which is Willam Wilcox & Co. (1875-1910) and was the later name for Wilcox & Co. 1845-1875)
-any of the above could be off, and I don't mind being corrected if so.

 

[Dug]

I don't doubt your research, but I believe W&Co. is Wilcox & Co., where M.W. & Co is Mallory Wheeler &. Co. So, are you sure it is the same company? (I truly don't know one way or the other).
Added: Do you by chance mean W.W. & Co.?, which is Willam Wilcox & Co. (1875-1910) and was the later name for Wilcox & Co. 1845-1875)
-any of the above could be off, and I don't mind being corrected if so.

Any chance you know who WR is? Found a lock swing today with a crown, W.R (period was at mid point) and the word patent.

 

[Papadoc]

Nhbenz, you are probably correct. I found another post on here that said:

"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."

there is so much conflicting information on the web

Thanks for the help

 

[nhbenz]

Any chance you know who WR is? Found a lock swing today with a crown, W.R (period was at mid point) and the word patent.

I don't know who made them, but the WR stands for William Rex (the 4th), who reigned before Queeen Victoria, from 1830-1837, so it would date from then.