Finally Joined The “Mickey Mouse” Club Today!

Erik in NJ · Dec 13, 2020

Been hunting a Colonial-era house a few times before the cold that’s given up a cornucopia of interesting finds from 1700s-1900s. I have dug my share of locks over the years, but I believe this beauty is the oldest. Because of the “ears” I’ve seen it called a “Mickey Mouse” lock though I’m sure there’s a more formal name for it. It’s a nice one too bigger than a silver dollar. Look at the attention to detail that was paid to just the copper keyhole cover! I’m very pleased with this find and am guessing 1800-1850 timeframe.

Anyone recognize the maker? Also any thoughts on conservation? ACV is an obvious choice however I don’t want to bring the nicely patinaed keyhole cover back to bare copper.

Thanks for your thoughts.

postalgriff · Dec 14, 2020

that's a sweet old lock Erik!

Erik in NJ · Dec 14, 2020

postalgriff said:
that's a sweet old lock Erik!

Thanks brother! I'm hoping to be able to preserve it a bit--such a beautiful old piece.

Megalodon · Dec 14, 2020

Eric, I have found several of the keyhole covers alone, separated from their locks, identical to that one at sites with artifacts mostly from the 1700's - early 1800's.

Nice find to dig one intact!

Erik in NJ · Dec 14, 2020

Megalodon said:
Eric, I have found several of the keyhole covers alone, separated from their locks, identical to that one at sites with artifacts mostly from the 1700's - early 1800's.

Nice find to dig one intact!

Thanks Megalodon. Yeah I was quite happy to finally find one of these locks and it's not in bad shape. I've never tried electroysis before but I might have to finally give it a shot on this lock. Thanks for your age estimate and kind words.

villagenut · Dec 14, 2020

Nice lock...should clean up nicely. I think those were called smokehouse locks.

Trezurehunter · Dec 15, 2020

Nice old lock Erik. After you have it cleaned up, preserve it with some rust inhibitor spray.

bonepicker · Dec 15, 2020

Here ya go, bud! &#55357;&#56832;

Erik in NJ · Dec 16, 2020

bonepicker said:
Here ya go, bud! &#55357;&#56832;

Hey brother--been a while since we last spoke. I kinda took a break from detecting/TNET for a couple years to catch up on other things. Nice to see you again. :thumbsup:

bonepicker · Dec 16, 2020

Erik in NJ said:
Hey brother--been a while since we last spoke. I kinda took a break from detecting/TNET for a couple years to catch up on other things. Nice to see you again.

Good to see you back at it and posting finds again. I really thought u had retired from the hobby.
Detecting has slowed down a bit for me since the birth of our daughter. Had to sacrifice the man-cave/computer room, so I don’t get on here and post as much. I still pop in and lurk sometimes to see what everyone is finding. Kutgw!

Erik in NJ · Dec 16, 2020

bonepicker said:
Good to see you back at it and posting finds again. I really thought u had retired from the hobby.
Detecting has slowed down a bit for me since the birth of our daughter. Had to sacrifice the man-cave/computer room, so I don’t get on here and post as much. I still pop in and lurk sometimes to see what everyone is finding. Kutgw!

Retired from the hobby? As Doc Holiday said to Johnny Ringo in Tombstone "Not me--I'm in my prime." :laughing7:

Congrats on your daughter! (and the gold coin I missed seeing found).

SlateBeltDigger · Dec 16, 2020

Nice work Cubbie-

lenmac65 · Dec 17, 2020

Cool lock, and great nickname. Wouldn't mind trying electrolysis on a few of my finds too, though I'm a little unsure how to set one up. Hope you have success with it, and you manage to clean this one up. Congrats.