Another FANTASY WINCHESTER Padlock SOLD for $$250+++ on Ebay

drcwks

FANTASY ALERT…. Here’s the latest WINCHESTER FANTASY PADLOCK.

A RailRoad style lock. The dust cover is embossed with WINCHESTER.

The Back is smooth.

Huntlocks

How do you know it’s a fake? Richard

drcwks

Hello Richard,

It is not really a fake but a fantasy lock. To be a reproduction or fake there would have to
be an original and Winchester never made a lock like that. I know this from the 30 years of collecting
padlocks. Knowledge obtained from other collectors, guides, lock news letters, etc. The main padlock book on collecting padlocks
is Frank Arnall’s “The padlock Collector” This book shows the locks produced by the Winchester Hardware Company.
I meant to say “FOR” the Winchester Hardware Company. I’m sure Winchester Hardware had the lock companies……Like
Eagle Lock, Sargent, Slaymaker, Corbin— bid on their padlock line and awarded the contract to the best design, price, etc..I’m sure many
Of the Winchester Tool Collectors could tell you for sure when and who made each style of lock.
Here is a link to most of the Winchester Padlocks produced….. from the early 1900s to the 1930s. There is another Winchester lock
that is known but NOT shown. http://home.southwind.net/_drcwks/arnal … ocks25.jpg

Anyway….the particular dealer, who was selling this lock on ebay, was selling other reproduction padlocks. Also I would say 99% if not 100% of
Their other items for sale (not padlocks) were also fakes or fantasies…. So when I first saw that lock I did wonder for a second if a rare Winchester may have turned Up….but after looking at all their other items I didn’t have to do much homework……

Hope that helps…..

Dean

Huntlocks

Thanks for the reply Dean.

I was curious and I thought you were going to say something like the finish on the ???? was a deeper tint or something very forensic and technical.

You have also explained what a ‘fantasy’ lock is, thanks for that. It’s obvious when you know!

The difficulty with this site is we have some real experts and some enthusiasts. I’m in the latter category, work with modern locks so I have a certain knowledge but not specialised. My collection was mostly obtained by accident and ‘free’ so I haven’t had to study to avoid the pitfalls of buying the wrong stuff.

I own a few of the late Peter Philips’ keys and his trick casket of which I’m proud - couldn’t afford much else. No padlocks.

Thanks again

Richard

drcwks

Richard,

I’m not up to speed on what you refer to as a “trick casket” . Is this a
generic name or specific/unique name to your item? How does it relate to the lock/key/safe hobby?

I have a lot of European Keys I acquired 10 years ago. Do you know of any good books on keys? Even a catalog from a key auction overseas would be nice. Most of the keys are 7 to 11 inches.

Thanks,
Dean

sparkyskey

Hi there Dean (and Richard). Love to see some pics of your European and inherited collection of keys - in the key section of course. I was told the best reference for keys was “Locks and Keys throughout the Ages” by Vincent JM Eras - but am prepared to be corrected if anyone has further information. There is also the lesser “Keys, their history and collection” by Eric Monk - although watch the editions - I think the latest one was 1999? There are a few books in French and German that crop up from time to time - but I haven’t yet looked into these - lots of nice glossy pics, but the text is all Dutch to me :-). Hope this helps a little. Cheers Sarah

drcwks

Hi Sarah,

I have my keys in storage right now but will try and get to them soon. I’ll be on holiday for a spell.

I do have the book you mentioned by Eras. It’s a nice informative book. I don’t remember how detailed it was on keys. I’ll have to check it out again. I’m guessing the keys are English. I bought a small lock collection 10 years ago and most of the items came from an estate in West Virginia.
Most of the locks were American with a few English padlocks.

Thanks for the feedback,

Dean

CAPTN1701

There is a new posting on EBAY Australia for a lock exactly the same as the one listed here—except the going bid is only 39.00 US. This is not a Winchester Lock but a fantasy Winchester Lock

momma

Hi all, I’m from Australia and have just found this forum. I sell on ebay & have to say that the amount of fakes, reproductions, copies ~ call them what you like, are prolific in many categories especially glass & brass. I feel sorry for collectors of the future as some of thes fakes are fooling collectors now. In the Tools, Hardware Locks on Ebay Aust at the moment, I think most are copies ~ (I have 2 listed & I guarantee they are genuine) but there is one I would like an opinion on but I don’t know the “rules” about links or ebay item no’s etc. It is a “seven lever Honesty” lock.
……momma

Paul Prescott

Feel free to post a link. However I think I know the lock you mean.

It’s not a fake, or fantasy lock in that it’s not pretending to be something it’s not. However what it is - is a modern (maybe brand new) lock made in India. There are lots of these around and IMHO it’s not worth what it’s listed on ebay for as the quality of these is nothing special and it has nothing to appeal to a collector per se.

momma

Hi oldlock, in the seller’s first sentence he states: “very rare vintage”
States the key is not original “but it’s extremely rare to find this style of padlock with it’s original key”
But covers all bases with: “It could possibly be antique, I would assume it is but I’m not 100% sure.”
To me this seller’s description would be very tempting to a novice collector & the seller has misrepresented the item. But that is my opinion……momma

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/VINTAGE-SEVEN-LE … dZViewItem

Would appreciate your comments on another one of his listings:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/HUGE-RARE-1KG-AN … dZViewItem

Paul Prescott

momma wrote
Hi oldlock, in the seller’s first sentence he states: “very rare vintage”
States the key is not original “but it’s extremely rare to find this style of padlock with it’s original key”
But covers all bases with: “It could possibly be antique, I would assume it is but I’m not 100% sure.”
To me this seller’s description would be very tempting to a novice collector & the seller has misrepresented the item. But that is my opinion……momma

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/VINTAGE-SEVEN-LE … dZViewItem

Would appreciate your comments on another one of his listings:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/HUGE-RARE-1KG-AN … dZViewItem

We could be charitable as say that maybe the seller just does not know anything about locks. The starting price he has placed on the second lock would seem to confirm that as it’s realistic value is about $20. I do laugh when I see stuff with stupid prices as the chances are it will never sell and unless ebay is having a free listing week it costs quite a bit to list something with a high starting price, especially if it’s then relisted, & relisted again. I have given up sending emails to sellers with advice - as they never take any notice ..