Any ideas how this worked

[vayank54]

I dug this lock in a civil war camp in the '80s. Both sides are the same and there is no keyhole anywhere. there are no marking or writing anywhere. I figure the name was on the hasp which was not with the lock when I dug it. I assume by the notches on the side that it slipped into some kind of cover or jacket. I was wondering how it worked and if it had a specific use.

 

[Breezie]

Nice find VaYank . . .I really don't have a clue; could it be part of the inside? ARe you sure it is a lock? Breezie

 

[vayank54]

I guess I should have mentioned it's two pieces a front and back and it's about 3/4" thick. It's the whole lock just no keyhole

 

[CRUSADER]

If your a cowboy you shot it open, everyone knows that

 

[RPG]

Open Sesame?

 

[Bramblefind]

Here is an 1868 Patent for a "self-sealing or keyless padlock" and "to open the lock, the body or shackle must be sawed in two."

http://www.google.com/patents?id=lrEAAAAAEBAJ&printsec=drawing&zoom=4#v=onepage&q=&f=false

 

[Breezie]

Here is an 1868 Patent for a "self-sealing or keyless padlock" and "to open the lock, the body or shackle must be sawed in two."

Good id Bramble! Dang, I guess it's a 1-time use lock. Breezie

 

[vayank54]

Thanks Bramble. I had no idea they had such a thing.