Finally found a super old lock!

[Nathan W]

I had found some early keys and figured the lock was around here somewhere . Well I finally got it. I'm so excited to clean it up . Lots of briars to the head but it was worth it

 

[Limitool]

That's a great find Nathan.... Get'er cleaned up and let's have a look.

 

[Nathan W]

That's a great find Nathan.... Get'er cleaned up and let's have a look.

Will do

 

[Nathan W]

Best I can clean it at work for now

 

[Limitool]

Now we need some history.... I tried but failed.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Nice old Padlock - congrats !

It's up to you but ... I cleaned all my old Padlocks in a "Electrolysis Bath" - they all came out looking great.
Very simple and inexpensive to make one - see how to video's on YouTube.
Once the Padlock comes out of the Electrolysis Bath - just buff it with Very Fine Steel Wool.
Here's photo's of a few of them.

 

[Sandog]

Have you been able to try to see if the keys fit the hole yet?

 

[Nathan W]

I haven't even tried to swing the cover latch

 

[Nathan W]

This has got to be late 18-early 1900s right? Hmm wonder what the 54 stands for too

 

[Blackfoot58]

Fantastic find 👍🏼

 

[AU Seeker]

I found 2 doing a search, both are very similar to yours, both made by the same company, I'll post links to them. Here's what a AI bot says about the lock you found...

"The image shows a vintage padlock marked "A&W CO. CHICAGO" and "54", held in a person's hand. This is likely an antique brass padlock dating back to the late 19th or early 20th century. These types of padlocks were commonly used in the railroad industry and by other companies for securing property. The "A&W CO." marking indicates the manufacturer or the company that commissioned the lock, while the number "54" could be an inventory or identification number. Given the age and the company marking, it's possible this padlock has some collectible value."

I'm guessing these locks were marked with initials for a certain railroad company or other companies that bought them or otherwise just a ID number.

Vintage Brass A&W Railroad Padlock Lock Marked MCRR Very Old | #3576484142

No key. Brass A&W stamped railroad padlock marked MCRR. This could stand for Michigan Central RR or Maine Central RR. You decide. Good keyhole cover spring, good shackle spring. Note: I do not ship ou

www.worthpoint.com

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[invent4hir]

The A&W hexagon logo stands for Adams and Westlake. See the AT&SFRR (Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad) “Tool House” Lock on the website https://westernrailroadamericana.com/catalog/locks/

 

[invent4hir]

The company, now called ADLAKE, began in 1857 per the company's website - https://www.adlake.com/about-us

That date however is in question - https://www.madeinchicagomuseum.com/single-post/adams-and-westlake/

 

[ArfieBoy]

Great lock, Nathan! Thanks for posting and Congratulations!

 

[Randawg72]

I love old padlocks! The chain attachment definitely points to railroad use. Was it found anywhere near train tracks?..

 

[Nathan W]

Yeah I figured it might be a railroad lock, by online search. Maybe the home owner work at one , but there was no train tracks near by . But might been used for other purposes at the farm

 

[Nathan W]

Great lock, Nathan! Thanks for posting and Congratulations!

Thank you. I guess this is a bucketlister for me that I didn't know I needed lol

 

[Nathan W]

I love old padlocks! The chain attachment definitely points to railroad use. Was it found anywhere near train tracks?..

No tracks , closest ones from that site are a good 5 miles away

 

[Nathan W]

Nice old Padlock - congrats !

It's up to you but ... I cleaned all my old Padlocks in a "Electrolysis Bath" - they all came out looking great.
Very simple and inexpensive to make one - see how to video's on YouTube.
Once the Padlock comes out of the Electrolysis Bath - just buff it with Very Fine Steel Wool.
Here's photo's of a few of them.

So the mechanisms might start working and be freed up after electrolysis?

 

[invent4hir]

Are any of the keys you found for an A&W lock?