Smitty I recently purchased an interesting antique desk and would like some assistance identifying the locks it has installed. Not certain of the desks origin or age though the previous owners receipt described it as circa 1720. No idea if that is correct however. there are a total of 8 locks on the desk (6 on the base and 2 on the top) and all work with the original key. They are fairly non-descript with no markings of anykind that I can see. I’ve tried to find others that look the same on the internet but have been unsucessful so far. Ideally what I’d like to know is the approximate age and country of origin. Any assistance you could give would be greatly appreciated. I’ll attach a few pictures of the desk and locks and can post a picture of the key later if that would help. Thanks, Brandon
Paul Prescott The lock on the drawer is clearly not original as it’s smaller than the cutout in the timber, plus it’s fitted with machine made screws ….. Using the locks to date it is not going to help as dating unbranded locks without technical sophistication is generally not possible.
Paul Prescott eladi71 wroteTry to contact the manager of this site: http://www.antique-key.com/ Why ? That site is fairly new, and there’s not much there. Plus the original question was about dating the locks and no-one is going to be able to do that as there are no technical features / markings that allow such a date, even if the locks were original which 1 (at least) clearly is not.
Brian Denyer Hi Brandon : I think the picture of the key may reveal anapproximate date from the keyhead design and level of sophistication of the bitting style. Brian ………………………………………..
Russell Stoner Hi. If the cabinate is of English origin, the locks may have been made by Willinhall locks, Birmingham. There are similar locks withing Windsor Castle. Worth checking! Regards Russell
Paul Prescott Russell Stoner wroteHi. If the cabinate is of English origin, the locks may have been made by Willinhall locks, Birmingham. There are similar locks withing Windsor Castle. Worth checking! Regards Russell The locks could have been mady by ANYONE ! and either way it’s impossible to prove :shock: There have been literally dozens of small lockmakers over the years ………
Tom Gordon It does appear to be of good age but the top half seems to be a rather odd, later addition. It may well not be mahogany and especially if it is walnut I would suggest it is Dutch.
