Old Corbin padlock age?

Adrian Weber

I recently got a padlock of a friend in the UK. I like Corbin because one of my first padlocks was a Corbin and this one is really a beauty! Any idea what it might be used for or how old it is? First I thought it would be old but it is a pin tumbler so maybe 50 years? I have also recognised that there are steel balls above the pins.

If I am lucky a friend here in Germany is going to impression a key for it 🙂

Dean Nickel

I would place that at about 1890-1920. I would guess there is a good chance it is a master ring lock and those were patented 1889. Pin tumbler locks from Corbin came out about 1888 according to AJ Hoffman in the Corbin Russwin Cylinder Manual.
http://extranet.assaabloydss.com/library/partsmanuals/CorbinRusswin/pdf/45099%20CR%20Cylinder%20Parts%20Manual.11.11.09.pdf

This book will help you date the lock with the ID of the keyway but not nail it down. IF we can find the patent number for that lock we could get closer to when it started production. So look in the book and see if you can ID the keyway. Also you can see the history of Corbin Russwin.

Adrian Weber

Man Dean you are great!

Thanks 🙂

Pschiffe

It looks like the P & F Corbin 99 simplex keyway which was their default section for stock locks from 1895 to 1907. Ball bearings were used in some or all chambers of Corbin and Russwin locks from about 1902 until the mid 1960s*

*adapted from Corbin Russwin Cylinder Manual by “A.J.” Hoffman.

Pete Schifferli