What is the date of this padlock?

[Foster]

Padlock measures 3 1/2" x 2 1/2". Made of Iron with a brass cover plate with a Crown and W R with other writing below W R "_AT_NT". What era does this lock date?

 

[creskol]

William Rex circa 1830-1837

 

[Foster]

William Rex circa 1830-1837

Thanks Creskol! William Rex, is that a company? Or as in King William?

 

[creskol]

William Rex circa 1830-1837

Thanks Creskol! William Rex, is that a company? Or as in King William?

It may have been made in England by Abraham Thompson - Makers but I am not real sure

 

[diggummup]

William Rex circa 1830-1837

Thanks Creskol! William Rex, is that a company? Or as in King William?

It may have been made in England by Abraham Thompson - Makers but I am not real sure

Better ask Iron Patch. He would know, wouldn't he.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

William Rex circa 1830-1837

Thanks Creskol! William Rex, is that a company? Or as in King William?

No its not a company. As Creskol said, WR stands for William Rex, or King William IV of England, just before Victoria (VR). The padlock was made during his reign.

Could the other word be WARRANTED?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Second look it may say "PATENT".

 

[Foster]

Second look it may say "PATENT".

Patent is more what it favors. What's amazing is it ended up in rural MS. Google Artesia, MS, and you will see what I am talking about. Artesia did not become a town till 1835. This was found, among a bunch of other relics, on the 300 acres my parents and I own.

 

[Foster]

Is this lock worth anything?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Found by fyrffytr1:

 

[Foster]

Found by fyrffytr1:

Yep. Same crown, W R written the same, patent is written in an opposite curve. Does anyone know if it is of any value?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Found by fyrffytr1:

Yep. Same crown, W R written the same, patent is written in an opposite curve. Does anyone know if it is of any value?

You could check eBay. They are always selling but in this condition probably not worth much.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Foster wrote:
> Is this lock worth anything?

As BigCypressHunter helpfully suggested, checking Ebay will show you what various sellers are asking (and sometimes getting) for similar padlocks that are in "dug-relic condition."

I'll add to his good suggestion by reporting that at civil war relic shows, "excavated" padlocks with a marking which proves they are civil war era (or earlier) sell in the $10-$20 range. (You'll see some sellers asking a higher price, but excavated padlocks tend not to bring more than $20 unless it's an extremely rare variety of padlock.)

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I'll add to his good suggestion by reporting that at civil war relic shows, "excavated" padlocks with a marking which proves they are civil war era (or earlier) sell in the $10-$20 range.

This is very true lol. I sold a plumb bob for over $100 because it had an 1863 patent date. A padlock labeled CW is worth much more than an 1830's padlock lol.

 

[kuger]

Not to take away from your lock,as it is a great find,but you ask value....I would like to know as well because I have always thought they werent worth much $ wise,and I literally have a shoe box full of them W.R's and V.R's

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Advertise as Confederate padlocks.