Antique Lock From England (Pics)

[Marduk28]

Hi Guys,

I got my hands on this old lock the other day. The person I got it from said they bought it about 30 years ago from an antique shop in England but I am unsure to exactly how old it is. There doesn't seem to be any markings on it, but it looks like it was cut out of a heavy wooden door.

I think the key is very beautiful and luckily the lock is still fully functional.

Any ideas about the style/brand/age of the lock?













Although I don't know much about it, I still think it looks really great. I am just glad it still works! =D

[macgng]

ooh very nice! too bad its not marked but someone here might have some more info. the key is neat!

[GWiens2001]

Very nice lock! Great addition to your collection. Nice example of an old-world warded lock.

Gordon

[10ringo10]

It would have been fitted to a church or mansion house and the key would have been cast and cut and filed by hand ! nice find

[Marduk28]

Thanks for the info guys!

I am going to put this one up on display!

[jharveee]

Nice lock and key.
The key is a piece of art, looks beautiful.
I would like to take a look inside.
To me it looks like there would be a single ward in the center.
The key just makes it look more complicated.
Just guessing.

So have you tried picking it yet?

[rai]

There are professors that can look at the tree ring growth patterns on that wood and read it like a barcode,
the metal work looks "age of industry" the cuts are consistant across two pieces of metal and they likely have the holes in perfectly similiar positions and diameters, Indicating manyfacture with machines rather than hand tools.

[huxleypig]

There are professors that can look at the tree ring growth patterns on that wood and read it like a barcode,
the metal work looks "age of industry" the cuts are consistant across two pieces of metal and they likely have the holes in perfectly similiar positions and diameters, Indicating manyfacture with machines rather than hand tools.

Rai, this is something I have started looking at since I got into machining. Do you have any more tips?

I like looking at the finish and trying to guess what type of tool/process was used on it...

Regarding the lock, it's a beaut! Big warded beast.

[10ringo10]

Count me in ? id love to see the machine that cut the 1820,s inner warding out on the church bow key ! Rai

[MacGyver101]

Nice lock! I've seen that style of lock generally referred to as a Banbury lock; here's a similar one I have:





They were generally made from the 17th-century up until the mid- to late-1800's, from what I can tell. I'd found an old catalog from the 1870's or 1880's (if I recall correctly?) from a company in Wolverhampton (UK) that listed a couple of models. While the key I have is warded (and was the key that was being used in the lock when it was taken out of service), it's not the original key: the lock (in its current state, anyhow) isn't warded... it would have just used a simple bit-key.

[10ringo10]

This is one of the earliest known lever locks used in England and would have had a single ward in lock and a straight cut running down the centre of key bit

you can see the Banbury lock is not encased in iron as the stock lock above is ! really nice buddy

[huxleypig]

There is a really cool lock museum near Wolverhampton, if you are ever in the area I recommend you go, it's awesome!

The Black Country (including Wolverhampton) has a very rich tradition of lock making. Unfortunately there are not many left in the area. A few, but not many.

[Marduk28]

WOW! This lock could have a lot of history!

I knew it was special!

Very glad I got a chance to pick this up!

Thanks for all the insight guys!