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Re: The Official Reg'd Mail Padlock Thread :-)

PostPosted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 10:08 pm
by Oldfast
Haha! .... And the plot thickens.

Re: The Official Reg'd Mail Padlock Thread :-)

PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 8:03 pm
by Oldfast
So I finally obtained an authentic key about two months ago! I've been waiting on a possible one to two more... but no such luck :???:
As rare as it is, I suppose I should be thrilled to have even one... it's just that I know several of you here would kill for one of these
and it would've made for one HELL of a surprise package!! LOL. So now I'm kinda torn as to what to do (if anything) with this one.
But for now, I thought I'd at least put some pictures up. There's a couple of interesting things worth noting here.

Image Image

The very first thing I noticed and was not expecting, was a double-sided key. As we know, only one side of this key is required
to open these locks. So my biggest question here is... what does the additional bitting on the other side of the key go to??

Much older models? A different series possibly? From the link Sour provided earlier in this thread
we can see there's an enormous selection of these locks over a long period of time. The second to the
last photo
pictures a key setting along side a lock dated 1901. Even then, you can see the bitting on this
older key matches that of the key I currently have. http://www.antique-padlocks.com/postal_rotary_a-z.htm

Image
Image

Also interesting (but not surprising) is the length of the key blade.
You can see the tip enters slightly into the base of the shackle.

Image

I'm not an avid collector, but even a layman such as myself can appreciate these.
The history behind these mail locks run VERY deep and are truly fascinating.

Re: The Official Reg'd Mail Padlock Thread :-)

PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 8:05 pm
by Riyame
WOW... That is very cool man. You have been busy the last little while :D

Re: The Official Reg'd Mail Padlock Thread :-)

PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 9:38 pm
by Oldfast
lol yeah, I've managed to finish a couple projects and nearing the end of a thrid.
I can accomplish a great deal in this hobby during the winter months, but summer
leaves very little time (most of which I like to spend with my girl). I've got to hand
it to her though!... she somehow usually tolerates my obsessiveness quite well. haha

Re: The Official Reg'd Mail Padlock Thread :-)

PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 10:09 pm
by mister sour
Omg...

Re: The Official Reg'd Mail Padlock Thread :-)

PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 10:26 pm
by Riyame
mister sour wrote:Omg...



Well... There goes the last of his kleenex and lotion :lol: