Who Was This Guy Dexter?

Doug MacQueen

Here are a few pictures of a nice little Herring lock from the 1870’s to early 90’s showing how it is similar yet different from an S&G combination lock. It is closer to another contemporary lock, the Hall Premier, in general design as it uses two levers to accomplish what Sargent did with one. The two piece driver requires an extra turn needed to align the wheels and movable fly on the drive cam. It is commonly thought that Dexter was a person but so far no evidence has been found to support this. Like many other locks from the period it is more likely the “Dexter” name was chosen for one its several definitions.

MGQC

Hi. I’m new to this forum. This topic attracted my attention. I’m working, as a hobby, on the restoration of a Herring safe. It happens I just finish to work on the lock, which is a Dexter. It seems very similar to yours, but there’s some differences. The patent date is August 24 1869. I’ll joined some picture. I haven’t seen other safe compagny using Dexter lock.

So, I just wanted to share these picture. This is a new hobby for me, so I’m far from an expert, but I do like it. If you have informations about Dexter lock or Herring safe of that period, I’ll be glad to hear it.

…

I’m having hard time with joining some picture. Is there a trick?

Doug MacQueen

Quebecois n’est pas? There are several Herring locks that have this name. If Dean can’t help you post pictures I will try to help. Doug

Dean Nickel

http://www.antique-locks.com/whats-new-forum-information/754-how-upload-images-into-your-posts.html

Try this. If it doesn’t send me a private message and I will upload them for you if you like.

MGQC

Files were too heavy. Had to resize them.

I also joined a picture of one of the interior wood boxes lock. It seems to be a Sargent Greenleaf lock. Very simple.

Is the Dexter locks were good locks compare to other locks company of that period?

Doug MacQueen

Thanks for posting the pictures. Make sure you post the finished safe. Yes Herring’s Dexter locks were on a par with other makers of the time. Typical of most makers the bronze case was used on burglary safes while cast iron was used on the fire safes. It also was common for there to be several different models for the different types of safes. Although the 1869 patent shows only a single piece dropping bolt, it shows the changeable wheel design and the two piece manipulation resistant drive cam idea. Also like Sargent’s locks, the dial did not have be pushed in and out as part of the operating process. At the time your safe was made, Herring was a major New York maker with a direct business relationship with Farrel, a major Philadelphia safe maker. Both companies were later merged into Herring-Hall-Marvin Safe Co. in the 1890’s. I have seen in some early Remington Sherman Safe Co. advertisements (formerly of Herring ), locks that look very much like Dexter locks. It is quite possible Remington Sherman purchased the lock division at the time of the merger but it appears it didn’t last as the slightly later Remington Sherman safes that I have seen are using Yale locks. Doug

Dave

I essentially have the same lock as MGQC showed in his pictures. I am not brave enough to take it apart and really don’t know how to. I was interested in how do I clean the lock without taking it apart? The plates tend move ever so slightly as the next number is dialed in.