Looking for information identifying an old lock.

Makinbakin

I am looking for a key for an old lock my wife has had since she was a little girl, I ask her her age, “she said old enough to know better”. the lock appears to be cast in bronze because it is very dark in color as apposed to yellow brass. The lock is 3 ¼″ high x 2 ¼″ wide x ½″ thick. The only markings on this lock are the letters N,H, C, with an O at the opening of the C. I’m thinking N H company? There is also a 3 on the upper right of the body of the lock. There is a slot on the bottom of the lock that is ½″ wide that appears to be for a flat Push key. there are no other markings on the lock. I am looking for a key or information if this lock can be picked to open. I would appreciate any help, Thanks

oldbiscuit

What you have there is a cast iron push key lock put out by the National Hardware Company. Yes they can be picked open fairly easily and once opened it is pretty easy to transfer the lever settings to make a key. The problem you will have is finding someone who will do it. Most locksmiths won’t waste their time on a lock this old as they could make better money on newer locks. There are lots of collectors out there who do this kind of work, me included, but there again, I don’t have the time to do this for other people and make it worth my time. Good luck, Mark

Makinbakin

Thanks for the reply Mark. It gives me something to work with. I made my Grandson a vintage replica strong box and wanted to use this lock as apposed to a modern lock. I’m retired so I will spend some time playing around to see if I can open it. If I do I’ll let you know. Larry.

Makinbakin

Makinbakin wrote
Thanks for the reply Mark. It gives me something to work with. I made my Grandson a vintage replica strong box and wanted to use this lock as apposed to a modern lock. I’m retired so I will spend some time playing around to see if I can open it. If I do I’ll let you know. Larry.

I’ll say these locks are easy to pick. This is the first lock I ever picked and I had it open in about 20 minuted. First I flooded the lock with WD40 to loosen any dirt that might have been inside, blew it out with air and used a paper clip to pop it open. I blew it out again and pushed around in there to get some idea of what was happening. then I calculated the measurments from the paper clip to an old flat key my wife had and in about another 30 minutes I had a key that worked like a charm. Do you have any idea about how old this lock is? I would like to know because the hardware I used on this box was from an old chest from 1860 and I want to make a document to go with the box stating that. I was going to try and see if I could purchase a key on line but my Grandson wants the one I made, He thinks that’s neat. I call it beginners dum luck! thanks again for your time. Larry

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