Old lock and associated arrowhead?

WhiteCountyPaleo

Hero Member
Jul 21, 2008
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Lafayette, IN
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PBK

Gold Member
May 25, 2005
6,380
270
This "US" warded brass padlock was made around 100-110 years ago. Most aren't marked, but Franklin M. Arnall's book, The Padlock Collector, identifies the maker as the E. T. Fraim Lock Co. of Lancaster, PA. Although it's sometimes listed as a lock from a U.S. mail bag, and on eBay some sellers have also called it a military lock, in fact it was a retail item sold in hardware stores and mail order catalogs— not an official government lock. "US" was just the model name. When RFD mail delivery began, many people bought these "US" locks to use on rural mailboxes. There were also locks with "MAIL," "RFD," "RR" (for Rural Route), and other official-looking names that were sold for the same purpose.
 

arm66

Jr. Member
Oct 25, 2007
34
0
NE Ohio....Mahoning County
I have two locks like that and an older looking unmarked lock. I found them on my father in laws farm while rebuilding his spring house. It was said that a stage line used to stop at the spring for water in the mid to late 1800's. I doubted it until I found two brass stage tags about a foot down whille digging a trench for the pipe to the pond from the spring. They are pretty cool finds. good job.
 

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