Please can anyone help with the following problem? I have acquired a lockable leather money bag which I am told used to belong to a bookie (or his ‘runner’). The bag consists of a leather pouch the mouth of which is closed and locked with a rather complex-looking mechanism. The lock is marked with a plate saying ‘Manufactured by Richmond Time Recording Co. 57 St Anne Street, Liverpool, Birtwhistles Patent Appln. Key No. 0764’ The keyhole is in the middle of the plate.
The lock itself is 4.5″ × 2.75″ × ⅞″ and seems to be made of three steel plates one on top of the other. Each plate has a brass 5-leaf hinge, so that it would seem that the lock could open out into three sections. On the right hand side is a small, brass, knurled knob rather like the winder on an old pocket watch. There is also a recessed brass pull-strip. I am not sure what either of these things actually does.
I have been told that this lock was somehow time-controlled by clockwork (perhaps the knurled knob is the winder?) although I am not sure how this could have worked. I got this item because of my interest in clocks but I am not a locksmith. The bag is locked and no one has found the key. The whole thing is in good condition and I would very much like to get it working again.
Can anyone suggest who or where I could ask to open the lock and make a new key for this? I would be willing to pay a reasonable amount to get the work done but so far I have not been able to find anyone who can do it.
Hoping someone can help. Thanks for your attention. (I am in the U.K.)
JTD
