Robt Newell's 1838 Patent Lock

Doug MacQueen

The discussion on the Yale Treasury got me to go back into the Newell locks. Sorry for the poor pictures. This is Newell’s 1838 patent #944 lock. Interesting the lock shows 1837. Most likely when he actually made it. Almost auto reset. It requires a wrench key in resetting. Similar to a modern S&G Key op lock where multiple stumps are slidable to fit the key bitting and clamped down. No special picking protection on this one. Doug

Adrian Weber

Very interesting antique lock Doug! Where did you get it from? Any information of it on paper despite the pictures? It is a beautiful piece that you have there and have never seen this lock before 🙁clap):

The bittings are also interesting as they are lined up like a stairwell, was that done by you on purpose?

Doug MacQueen

No, unfortunately not mine. The company at the time was known as Day, Newell and Day of New York. Nothing much else on that lock. Note it also has a spring bolt latch. I think the bittings are arranged like that to better judge the depth and number of cuts. Doug

Doug MacQueen

After looking around some more , I found this same lock is shown in “American Genius” p. 44-45. Better pictures there. Doug

Adrian Weber

Thanks Doug I will check it first thing in the morning!

Paul Prescott

Did LWC ever discover who the actual maker of the lock was ?

Doug MacQueen

No that wasn’t discussed and I just noticed the RW Maker stamp on the lock. In searching Day, Newell and Day I found the company was pretty good size, so I suspect RW was their master machinist. Doug

4xlock

For those interested in Day, Newell & Day.

In 1832 it employed about 90 journeymen and apprentices.

By 1833 this number had fallen to about 80.

By 1834, due to severe price competition, they only employed 27 journeymen locksmiths and 32 apprentices. There being only 60 journey men locksmiths in the whole of New York.

Again, at the beginning of 1835, the total number of journeymen locksmiths in New York had fallen to about 50 with some of those out of work. The total market for locks, in New York, was estimated to be about $100,000 at this time with D, N & D having about a 30% share. There were 9 manufacturers in New York at this time. They stipulated at this time that their margins were just 15%. i.e. about $4,500.

Please contact me if you have any information on the Days or Newell. I have a lot more from 1820 till the 1860’s but am always looking for more.