"1607" Whatsit???

[metaldetectingtaylor]

Not sure what this is. Dug from a field at a house that was built in 1730. Could it be a mechanical part from a tractor/farm equipment? Fits in my hand. Metal appears to be some kind of steel...Thanks

[NOLA_Ken]

that is the bolt for an old mortise lock set. The "1607" is likely a mold number, or part number rather than a date.

[metaldetectingtaylor]

I agree with that ID. Do you know what era its from?

[NOLA_Ken]

They still make them today, but I'd guess yours is most likely late 1800's early 1900's. I just rebuilt several of the original ones in my house and re-used them, so I spent a good long time staring at the guts, and digging through the salvage store here for parts.....then I found out they are still being made and sold brand new I think I like the originals better anyway though.

[metaldetectingtaylor]

Sounds good to me. Thanks again!

[Bigcypresshunter]

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.p...,374549.0.html

[AU24K]

They still make them today, but I'd guess yours is most likely late 1800's early 1900's. I just rebuilt several of the original ones in my house and re-used them, so I spent a good long time staring at the guts, and digging through the salvage store here for parts.....then I found out they are still being made and sold brand new I think I like the originals better anyway though.

Do you have some company links for replacements? Do they sell parts?
Seems like the spring always is broken on the older ones and I'd like to be able to repair them rather than replace them.

Best,
Scott

[NOLA_Ken]

I'm not sure if anyone sells parts, what I did was dig through a bin of them at a builders salvage place.

[AU24K]

I'm not sure if anyone sells parts, what I did was dig through a bin of them at a builders salvage place.

I feel ya.
A guy or gal could probably find whole mortise sets in a hundred "flea markets" and roadside "antique shops." The trick is to get them cheap enough.

Best,
Scott

[NOLA_Ken]

Yeah, that's true. Especially now that everything is "antique" or "vintage". Thing is, the springs are usually just a piece of flat spring steel. I actually cut a few myself because I couldn't find one to match. It's a good way to putter around the shop for a while

[AU24K]

Yeah, that's true. Especially now that everything is "antique" or "vintage". Thing is, the springs are usually just a piece of flat spring steel. I actually cut a few myself because I couldn't find one to match. It's a good way to putter around the shop for a while

Been there, done that. But it was to repair the triple drive springs in a Victrola.

Best,
Scott