✅ SOLVED Has anyone any ideas about this lock?

[Digger RJ]

Have You ever seen a lock shaped like this? I soaked it and toothpicked it and can’t see any writing. I’m gonna try brasso next. It’s solid brass and heavy. The key hole shows a bit of rust. Thanks in advance for any info!!😁

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Diving for Pleasure and Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[Lenrac2]

I've seen pics but don't know anything about them. Looks old. Cool find!!

 

[Tony in SC]

Be careful, there may be some markings under all that crud.

 

[ticndig]

nice congrats

 

[pepperj]

Prison padlock
Can see other examples and pricing on this link

https://www.antiquesnavigator.com/common-price-guide.php?searchresults=yes&rpp=100&s1st=Antique&operator=and&s2=Prison

 

[Digger RJ]

Be careful, there may be some markings under all that crud.

What about electrolysis? Think that would get the stuff off without harming it better? If there’s writing I’d love to see it😁

 

[devldog]

Great Find and Save of the lock. Very nice lock. Great job also on the ID. Well Done.

 

[Red-Coat]

It looks like what is known as a "Scandinavian" padlock, but I don't think there's any particular reason to say it's prison related rather than a myriad of other possible uses.

The road up to obsolescence [of screw key padlocks] was paved in the 1800s when Swedish inventor Christopher Polhem created what would be known to history as the Scandinavian padlock. The lock body was composed of cast iron, and the locking mechanism for these padlocks focused around rotating disks. The disks need to be rotated, and that was done with grooves on the disks that correspond to a specific key. There were also grooves on the outside of the disks, which would need to be lined up so that the shackle could be released. This technology was patented in 1871 and was continuously manufactured by the patent holders until the 1950s, adding up to almost a century of production.
REF:

The History Of Padlocks

Padlocks and even the word 'padlock' itself, have a deep history. The words have evolved and the devices have followed suit. We track the evolution here.

unitedlocksmith.net

 

[pepperj]

What about electrolysis? Think that would get the stuff off without harming it better? If there’s writing I’d love to see it😁

Hydrogen Peroxide will clean it up without hurting the metal. Just get a little bigger plastic container put the lock in, pour the HP over the top and watch it bubble. Take out every hour scrub lightly with old toothbrush repeat.

 

[bowwinkles]

plenty to look at here. https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/vintage-padlock

 

[Digger RJ]

Hydrogen Peroxide will clean it up without hurting the metal. Just get a little bigger plastic container put the lock in, pour the HP over the top and watch it bubble. Take out every hour scrub lightly with old toothbrush repeat.

Cool I’ll try that! Thanks

 

[pepperj]

It looks like what is known as a "Scandinavian" padlock, but I don't think there's any particular reason to say it's prison related rather than a myriad of other possible uses.

View attachment 2125660

The road up to obsolescence [of screw key padlocks] was paved in the 1800s when Swedish inventor Christopher Polhem created what would be known to history as the Scandinavian padlock. The lock body was composed of cast iron, and the locking mechanism for these padlocks focused around rotating disks. The disks need to be rotated, and that was done with grooves on the disks that correspond to a specific key. There were also grooves on the outside of the disks, which would need to be lined up so that the shackle could be released. This technology was patented in 1871 and was continuously manufactured by the patent holders until the 1950s, adding up to almost a century of production.
REF:

The History Of Padlocks

Padlocks and even the word 'padlock' itself, have a deep history. The words have evolved and the devices have followed suit. We track the evolution here.

unitedlocksmith.net

Yes they could very well of been used for other purposes.
In the link I provided there has been a multi sale as them of been used in the prison system as locks.

I guess just because something isn't used in one country it doesn't mean it can't be used in another country for some other purpose. In this case they were manufactured in Scandinavia and because of their rarity in the USA they were used in the prisons.


Here's a simple example as a Robison sq, head screw wasn't popular in the USA and were sold as a security screw even. (They'd be popular in the States except that Henry Ford wanted exclusive rights to them, and Robertson (the inventor, a Canadian) refused to sell.)

 

[Red-Coat]

Yes they could very well of been used for other purposes.
In the link I provided there has been a multi sale as them of been used in the prison system as locks.

I guess just because something isn't used in one country it doesn't mean it can't be used in another country for some other purpose. In this case they were manufactured in Scandinavia and because of their rarity in the USA they were used in the prisons.


Here's a simple example as a Robison sq, head screw wasn't popular in the USA and were sold as a security screw even. (They'd be popular in the States except that Henry Ford wanted exclusive rights to them, and Robertson (the inventor, a Canadian) refused to sell.)

True enough. However, although the quote I gave above says the [original] patent holders manufactured them until the 1950s, the patent had long expired by then... and had also been licensed to manufacturers outside Sweden, including the USA. In America they were widely produced by the Star Lock Works of Philadelphia for example:

Vintage SCANDINAVIAN PADLOCK 3 5/8"H W/2 KEYS - STAR LOCK WORKS Philadelphia, PA -- Antique Price Guide Details Page

 

[Digger RJ]

True enough. However, although the quote I gave above says the [original] patent holders manufactured them until the 1950s, the patent had long expired by then... and had also been licensed to manufacturers outside Sweden, including the USA. In America they were widely produced by the Star Lock Works of Philadelphia for example:

Vintage SCANDINAVIAN PADLOCK 3 5/8"H W/2 KEYS - STAR LOCK WORKS Philadelphia, PA -- Antique Price Guide Details Page

Thanks for the info!! That looks just like it😁