Need information on 12 push button letter padlock

blugibson

possibly brass, 12 push buttons labled A - I, L, O, U.
4 letter combo is answer
only other markings are patent stamp on back reads

PAT’D
FEB 4, 1873
REISSUED
FEB 29 1876

obviously produced after 1876, but looking for anyone that might have anymore info, was located in upstate new york when given.
thanks in advance
gabe

Paul Prescott

Are the buttons in a ring ? Got a picture ? (please crop and reduce image quality if uploading pictures)

It might be a Clark lock - maybe.

blugibson

thanks for the reply, not the best quality pics but hope this is cropped enough. thanks again,
i got it from my grandfather when he passed away, he owned small oil fields on the PA NY border upstate.
thanks again

Paul Prescott

Yes, it is a clark, not the large lock used by the US treasury but one of the smaller versions. Still a nice lock, worth several hundred dollars in good condition.

blugibson

thanks so much for you information.

definately still works very well,
i know the combo also
it appears someone tried to break the back off and snapped a piece off of the rear cover. other than that great condition

any idea what it is made of or what i could clean it up with, or shouldn’t you clean the tarnish?

gabe

Paul Prescott

The patina (tarnish) should be left alone.

The damage will have a bearing on the value.

blugibson

thanks again.