Help identifying this lock/devise

David Gustin

I purchased this lock at an estate auction recently. The oral history goes like this: "The owner purchased this lock in Georgia USA approx 15 years ago. He was told that it was used on the “chain gangs” to secure prisoners" Since it is marked JUNKUNC BROS. MFRS CHICAGO USA Pats pend. I’m guessing it was made in the early 1900s? It seems like a plausible story due to its shape. The bottom of the brass lock is flat and rides fairly comfortable on the back of the neck. I would assume the open lock was passed through a loop on the end of a chain and the other end fastened to a permanent object. All of this is theory since I have never seen one of these before and can not find any references anywhere. The key appears to be a replacement? Any ideas?

David Gustin

Sorry I guess I did not follow the instructions for photos! I’ll try again.

Scott Klemm

Your lock is not a prisoner’s chain-gang neck collar. Rather it is a tire lock for one of those old model automobiles with spoked wheels. I think it is an unusual item, but I did find a picture of it in Richard Holiner’s Collectible Locks: An Identifications & Value Guide (1979). He lists its value as “$35.00 and up.” But, this was back in 1979 and I think it should sell for much more today.
Hope this helps.
Scott

Dean Nickel

Here is the patent for that lock. So yes it is a spare tire lock and it was 1927 file date.

1800943-spabe-tire-lock.pdf

312kB

David Gustin

Thanks, Scott for the patent drawing! That blew me away that you can still access this kind of info! I tried and tried to find info on the many lock sites and googleing Locks,restraints,padlocks,and on and on! One thing that was helpful is the fact that we have the makers name. It just took going to the right place to solve the mystery!
I’m enclosing a photo that was circa 1897-1929 showing women prisoners with “neck rings” working on a chain gang in west afrika. Also a pic of the key for the lock.
Thanks again for the info!
Dave

Dean Nickel

Just because the makers of the lock made a “Spair Tire lock” doesn’t mean that it was only used for that. The locks in the pictures I think are a spair tire lock.

http://www.google.com/patents

If you are looking for patents it is a good way to look.

Scott Klemm

David Gustin wrote
Thanks, Scott for the patent drawing! That blew me away that you can still access this kind of info! I tried and tried to find info on the many lock sites and googleing Locks,restraints,padlocks,and on and on! One thing that was helpful is the fact that we have the makers name. It just took going to the right place to solve the mystery!
I’m enclosing a photo that was circa 1897-1929 showing women prisoners with “neck rings” working on a chain gang in west afrika. Also a pic of the key for the lock.
Thanks again for the info!
Dave

The patent drawing came from Dean Nickel - not me. I too want to thank Dean because I was thinking of a lock to prevent the theft of the car rather than securing the spare. We both learned something new!
Your photo of the African prisoner neck collars was interesting. However, it seemed to me that some were wide enought to be slipped over the head.
Attached to this message is a photo of a tire lock to prevent auto theft.
Scott

[unknown]

David Gustin

Sorry Dean for not giving the right person the salute!
As to the picture of the “Car” lock, scott posted I kind of thought that my lock would have a chain attached to a post or some other object and then fastened around a wheel or even the bumper? But anyway this is a great site and I will be visiting often. I will post any other locks I find in my travels.
Dave

Brian Denyer

Hi Scott:

I have one of the Tire Locks shown in the photo.
One time I was demonstarting this lock at a seminar and had a friend ask about
using it as a neck lock LOL….
She then tried to take the key and run off..as a joke.
The Tire lock also has applied brass panel with a reward posted.
Seems that the vehicle could be driven with this lock.
If it was the trail could be followed in the soft dirt roads back then.
The lock is quite heavy.

The makers of darby handcuffs had a Neck Collar made qith an internal screw key.

Brian………………………………………………….

Scott Klemm wrote
The patent drawing came from Dean Nickel - not me. I too want to thank Dean because I was thinking of a lock to prevent the theft of the car rather than securing the spare. We both learned something new!
Your photo of the African prisoner neck collars was interesting. However, it seemed to me that some were wide enought to be slipped over the head.
Attached to this message is a photo of a tire lock to prevent auto theft.
Scott

[unknown]

Timothy

I found this web site as it is tire lock as per:< http://exwisehe.com/accessory_locks_tire_6.html>

There more about these tire lock feel free to look.