✅ SOLVED what is this thing

[johnhardt03]

Any ideas on this thing, looks like it should be attached to something, Thanks everyone.

 

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[doublet2a]

It's part of an old US padlock..

Tim

 

[JOHUNT]

Comparing the photos I don't see holes on the padlock. Maybe someone drilled it, like you said, to attach to something. Cool find!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Comparing the photos I don't see holes on the padlock. Maybe someone drilled it, like you said, to attach to something. Cool find!

The holes are probably rivets

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Its manufactured by ET Fraim. Heres a pic from one my old catalogs and a quote from PBK.

Originally Posted by PBK
...It's a warded brass padlock made around 100-110 years ago. Most aren't marked, but Franklin M. Arnall's The Padlock Collector identifies the maker as the E. T. Fraim Lock Co. of Lancaster, PA. Although it's sometimes listed as a lock from a U.S. mail bag, and on eBay some sellers have also called it a military lock, in fact it was a retail item sold in local hardware stores and mail order catalogs— not an official government lock. "US" was just the model name. When RFD mail delivery began, many people bought these "US" locks to use on rural mailboxes. There were also locks with "MAIL," "RR" (for Rural Route), and other official-looking names that were sold for the same purpose.