Need help to ID and/or date this lock

Search4

I hope someone can help identify or possibly date this padlock.

Nothing fancy and it’s not pretty! Found it while metal detecting, about 12 inches deep in the clay. It was in the middle of a field, which has been a hay field for at least 80 years, until we plowed part of it this year for more garden space. No buildings or roads near this spot.
Due to the extensive history in this area of central Virginia, USA - the mystery of the story behind this lock is driving several of us nuts.
Hope someone can help!
Mrs. B

peerless

Is there a discernable keyhole anywhere? While it may not be possible to pin-down exactly who made it and when, due to it’s deteriorated state. Certain features like rivet placement, keyhole shape and configuration etc. could lend a hand in narrowing down a possible maker, and therefore a window of manufacture.

oldbiscuit

Mrs B, It is almost, if not impossible to identifythe manufacture of that lock in its condition. However I can tell you it’s a 2 piece stamped steel case that was riveted together and judging by the shape, If I had to make a guess, I’de say it’s a six lever lock. The problem is that several companies made six lever locks in that shape and have been doing so for a long time. The lock could date back to the late 1800’s . In lock collecting as in all hobbies, condition is everything and I’m afraid there is little to no value in what’s left of that lock. It does I’m sure make for a good conversation piece. As to how it came to be out in the middle of your field, who knows? Maybe it fell of some farmers tractor.

Search4

Thank you so much for your help.I was hoping to hear late, late 1800’s and nothing earlier!My sons have come up with all sorts of stories of how this lock came to be where it was.Me: Fell off of a tractor or wagon tool box of some kind because someone, obviously, left it open. (of course Mom (me) is clueless.)My guys have come up with all sorts of tales:Escaped slave…Freed slave that threw it far into the field while celebrating.From a Civil War treasure chestRevolutionary War treasure chestFirst settlers treasure chestPirate Treasure chest Mobsters from Richmond or DC checking out their stolen loot (after buring the dead guys down the road at Buzzard’s Bottom Swamp)Unfortunately, all of these are entirely possible and not too far fetched. (except the pirate one!) Our land was part of a big farm established in 1729, and we have records of Europeans living here before 1600’s.Buzzards bottom is documented history around here.There are several other far out speculations - I doubt I will show them any more of my finds until I know what it is!! It’s more about history than value with this piece, that’s for sure.Other things I’ve found here that I have been able to date from the 1930’s and 40’s, were not nearly as deep as this lock. Either on top of soil or just a couple of inches deep, so I am guessing it is older than that.Also found a bracket of some sort, maybe an axle bracket, at similar depth 10″, and only a few feet away. So maybe I can date that somehow and figure out what it is from. I know I have seen similar brackets, just can’t think of what on.I have a better picture of the keyhole (I think) which is in the center of the circle. It’s rusted so badly I can’t make out any thing inside the lock or any rivets.Thanks again for your help, it’s truly appreciated.MrsB

Dean Nickel

It could have been a smoke house lock. That is what this type of lock were known for, so far as I know.

Retro00064

The keyway looks like a double-bitted keyway. I’ve seen numerous round-bodied six-lever padlocks on eBay with double-bitted keyways from various manufacturers, so oldbiscuit is likely right on the money. Just search on eBay for “six lever padlock” (without the quotes) and you’ll see some.

Search4

Dean Nickel wrote
It could have been a smoke house lock. That is what this type of lock were known for, so far as I know.

Thanks Dean, that makes total sense. Have been trying to thing of anything that would “need” to be locked up at that time and in the middle of nowhere. Putting it on the list!

[unknown]

Search4

Retro00064 wrote
The keyway looks like a double-bitted keyway. I’ve seen numerous round-bodied six-lever padlocks on eBay with double-bitted keyways from various manufacturers, so oldbiscuit is likely right on the money. Just search on eBay for “six lever padlock” (without the quotes) and you’ll see some.

Thanks for the right search words Retro! Back to ebay I go…

[unknown]