Yale and Towne Lock Infornmation Needed

jtech

I found this lock earlier today and was looking to find out some information about it.
I found similar locks but could not find one that was the same color. It does not appear to be brass color maybe is coated with another metal. The lock was made in stamford ct and has the patent dates on the bottom as follows, Feb 1 1876, July 10 1877, Nov 27 1877, Sep 24 1878. The size of the lock is a little larger than a quarter. Any information would be appreciated, thanks

Dean Nickel

Can you get a clear picture of the bottom of the lock? Also is there a key with it?

It might be copper wash covering the outside of the lock.

Billy B Edwards Jr. CML

jtech wrote
I found this lock earlier today and was looking to find out some information about it. I found similar locks but could not find one that was the same color. It does not appear to be brass color maybe is coated with another metal.

Those Yale lever locks range in size from the one in your picture to models nearly 4″ wide and were typically made of bronze. I have seen some that were chrome plated. Designed for marine application, bronze is typically the material of choice.
BBE.

[unknown]

jtech

I don’t have a camera that can zoom in much better than what I have already taken. It was from my grandfathers items and he was in the military navy or marines I am not 100% sure. He also worked as a machinist at pratt and whitney and was very involved with the production of air planes and air plane parts if that can send you in the right direction. I do not have a key currently but I may be able to find the key. What would you be looking to see on the bottom of the lock?

Dean Nickel

The keyway can help us date the lock. Or the key can do the same. This body of lock had several different configurations that I know of. That logo I know of at least two types of keys that were made. So by knowing what key fits the lock or seeing the keyhole we can make a better guess as to the range of years the lock was made.

Bronze would look like this wouldn’t it.

jtech

Here is the picture of the bottom of the lock. The quality of the picture is not very good it was taken with a camera phone and I have to cover the flash with my finger so it does not blur the whole picture. A little of the light came through which you can see in the photo. The lock appears to be brass under the coating in spots where there were a lot of wear.

Dean Nickel

This would be a warded padlock. If you have the key it would sell for about $3-10. Without the key maybe 2-4.

The date range I would give it would be 1885-1920

This was the cheaper made lock in this class of lock. The one with a pin tumbler lock would be the better grade. The key for this should have square cuts in the side.

jtech

Thanks for all the info !

Billy B Edwards Jr. CML

jtech wrote
Thanks for all the info !

I’m sorry to say that some of the info you’ve been given is not correct. As I stated in an earlier post, your lock is a lever lock and I believe it is a Yale model 813. Yale did not manufacture a warded lock with that body shape. Attached is an image from a 1972 Yale catalog that shows that only three sizes of that body style were still being made in 1972. Other reference information I have indicates that the keys used in that lock series were first produced in 1907. I am pretty sure the style of lock was still being produced until at least 1980.

Your lock is fairly rare and there are collectors who try to obtain examples of all the sizes of that lock. I have seen locks like yours sell for $25 to $30.
BBE.

[unknown]

Billy B Edwards Jr. CML

ps. The trefoil logo on the back of your lock is a clear indication that it was produced prior to 1929 when use of that logo was discontinued. That means your lock was produced between 1907 and 1929.
BBE.

Dean Nickel

I stand corrected. As always it is a pleasure to be wrong if I can learn from it!

I had always thought those type of locks were just warded as those found in more current locks. I know Master used a warded padlock that used a key that looked like that and was cut or no cut in points along the key, aka a binary lock. I will have to look closer at the one I have put away somewhere.