Mills Keyless Padlock

Frozenh20

Hello all,

I inherited a fascinating family heirloom “Mills Keyless Lock”. My grandmother was a Mills, and it hung on my grandparents garage for years. I have never seen or heard of another. The lock is operated by two star wheels on the bottom, rotating them together first in one direction, then the other. With the correct combo, you push the button on the side and it opens.

Although I’d never sell it, I’m hoping the group could help me establish a value for the estate, or provide any additional insight.

Scott

Pschiffe

Frozenh20 wrote
Hello all,

I inherited a fascinating family heirloom “Mills Keyless Lock”. My grandmother was a Mills, and it hung on my grandparents garage for years. I have never seen or heard of another. The lock is operated by two star wheels on the bottom, rotating them together first in one direction, then the other. With the correct combo, you push the button on the side and it opens.
Although I’d never sell it, I’m hoping the group could help me establish a value for the estate, or provide any additional insight.

Interesting and unique padlock indeed. Although this doesn’t answer your question, apparently made by Mills Novelty Co.; also one-time manufacturer of the Bell Lock which was famously found on antique Mills slot machines likely also made by the same company. See thumbnail attached for an image of that lock.
Also see pdf of Historical Research Series #15 dated May, 1985 by Thomas F. Hennessy. I believe the tooling for Bell Lock was acquired by Login Parking subsequent to Lori Corp’s demise and that they are still manufactured for parking meter and casino applications.

Pete Schifferli

[unknown]

historicalresearchseries15.pdf

241kB

Dean Nickel

Possible to post more pictures of the bottom and sides?

Frozenh20

I don’t have the lock in my possession right now, so that’s the only photo I have. The star wheels are 5 sided with slightly rounded cutouts that fit your finger. I notice that the logo on the shackle is raised in my example, but not on the business card.

Frozenh20

Found the patent - Permutation Lock