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I've been fascinated with Best Interchangeable Core Padlocks since, well, as long as I can remember. I have been scouring the web trying to find as complete of a history on them as I can find. There are bits and pieces here and there, patents, the occasional picture, but not a concise history, which I'd like to help compile.

I'd like to get more information on the advancements over they last 100 years from the initial Best removable core padlock patent, the to the split of MBS family members, all the way up to the sale to dormakaba. I've gathered what I can find, but I'd love to talk to those that have lots of experience with them and perhaps can help fill in some gaps in product lines, timelines, etc.

If this is you, or someone you know of, please get in touch either here or send an email to padlock at beergeek dot com.

Many thanks,
Jeff

You NEED to join the Antique Lock Collectors Association and talk to my friend Bob Dix.
He has done several articles about IC locks, Best logo locks, etc in their Journal of Lock Collecting. He knows a LOT of their history.

www.alca.name

best $25 you will spend (pun intended)

To follow up on this, I've been collecting the information I have found and that has been sent to me by very kind collectors here: http://padlockcore.com

Highlights include:
- a fairly complete list of Best padlock models including dimensions: https://padlockcore.com/best-lock-padlock-model-list/
- a 2000+ long list of the special stampings created by Best: https://padlockcore.com/special-stamps/
- Over a dozen catalogs from 1926, 1960s, 1980s, and more recent: https://padlockcore.com/collection/document-archive/

Still looking for more information including more catalogs from early to mid 1900s, earlier padlock service manuals (prior to the current 2007 one), memos and coorespondence to sales people, any other internal and external documentation.

Cheers,
Jeff