Barron lock

FabFinds

I have an antique ship’s surgeons trunk/chest that I am trying to date. The lock is a Barrons Patent and has the initials GR either side of a crown. I would appreciate any help. Thanks

Brian Morland MLA Hon

GR with a crown is the cypher of the ruling monarch. The problem is that there has been several ’GR’s since 1774 when Barron took out his patent, and the locks have been more or less continuously made since then finally dyeing out between the wars. (WWI - WWII) Do post a few pictures of the chest and lock, and if possible one of the lock interior when I’m sure a time frame can be suggested.

FabFinds

Brian Morland wrote
GR with a crown is the cypher of the ruling monarch. The problem is that there has been several ’GR’s since 1774 when Barron took out his patent, and the locks have been more or less continuously made since then finally dyeing out between the wars. (WWI - WWII) Do post a few pictures of the chest and lock, and if possible one of the lock interior when I’m sure a time frame can be suggested.

Thanks for your prompt reply. Attached are some photos that may help.

[unknown]

Adrian Weber

I am pleased to see that a such interesting lock is still in the place where it was supposed to be!
I am sure one of the other members can provide some more information now that the pictures are given 🙂-:

Richard Phillips

Looks like a pine chest, with machine-made woodscrews. George III 1760 - George IV 1830 looks early to me. Stamps went on being used for years, but the much later barron locks I have seen were padlocks. So maybe c1820’s - 1830’s. Despite other inventions such locks were certainly still being made and used then - George Price’s price list shows a range of sizes of box lock and till lock in the 1850’s.

Arcade Al

It looks very much like a military foot locker.

Dean Nickel

The Screws and machine cuts lead me to believe it was after 1870.