Help with the maker on this lock!!

Charmin · Mar 22, 2009

This lock part was found at an old foundation site. My daughter(she found it) and I were just wondering if anyone could tell who made it by the symbols on the face plate?? Thanks for looking! regards, sandcreek4

nhbenz · Mar 22, 2009

The Pennsylvania Rail Road used the Keystone design on their locks, with initials in the middle for the particular application. The Keystone is a distinctly Pennsylvania symbol, so I'm guessing that's at least the state it's from.

Charmin · Mar 22, 2009

NHbenz said:
The Pennsylvania Rail Road used the Keystone design on their locks, with initials in the middle for the particular application. The Keystone is a distinctly Pennsylvania symbol, so I'm guessing that's at least the state it's from.

Thanks, NHbenz--so that's a "Keystone" symbol, then? I'll google that and see what I come up with! regards~~~sandcreek4

PBK · Mar 22, 2009

As Ben notes, the keystone is indeed a Pennsylvania symbol. The Old English letters "IA" on the lock are unattributed, as far as I know. The lock was manufactured by the E. T. Fraim Lock Co. of Lancaster, PA, and should be marked (perhaps on the part missing), "Patd. Mar. 12, 1908." If complete, the lock would be worth around $20-30.

Charmin · Mar 22, 2009

PBK said:
As Ben notes, the keystone is indeed a Pennsylvania symbol. The Old English letters "IA" on the lock are unattributed, as far as I know. The lock was manufactured by the E. T. Fraim Lock Co. of Lancaster, PA, and should be marked (perhaps on the part missing), "Patd. Mar. 12, 1908." If complete, the lock would be worth around $20-30.

Thank you so much, PBK! That's what we needed to know!! kind regards, sandcreek