Suzanne I purchased this lock and key in 1976. I don’t know anything about this subject and bought it because I liked it. I’m very curious as to when this may have been made and the value. I’ve attached some photos. Thank you in advance for any information you can give me. Suzanne
Dean Nickel I don’t think we can get you an age as this would fall under blacksmith work that they still make today in the middle east. But I can say that this work is a bit older or at least better work in that someone has gone thru the trouble of marking off how much of the bolt will be thrown each turn of the key. I would wait for others to comment and see if anything about the key or lock rings bells.
Suzanne Just bumping this up in hopes that someone new views and can give some additional info, as I am interested in selling this lock and key.
Scott Klemm I believe this is a “Spanish” door lock made in Mexico or possibly the American Southwest. It probably dates from the 19th century. The design work visible when the photo is enlarged is reminiscent of the Spanish lock. Although not a perfect match, your lock roughly resembles a couple illustrated in Simmons and Turley’s Southwestern Colonial Ironwork: The Spanish Blacksmithing Tradition from Texas to California,1980. What’s different is how your bolt extends from both sides. I hope this helps. Scott
Suzanne Thank you, Scott. I’ll have to look that up. Any information is appreciated, since I’m thinking of selling it.
Scott Klemm Suzanne, I hope you see this messeage. My initial identifcation was wrong. I found your exact lock type while searching for information on the Bambury lock. I have copied a page from Maud Eastwood’s Antique Builders’ Hardware Knobs & Accessories. It appears that what you have is a plate lock that may be American or English. Scott
Suzanne Thank you, Scott. I appreciate any information about this lock, since I’m trying to sell it and don’t know anything at all about locks. Suzanne
Suzanne Thank you, Tom. I just assumed it was American, since I own it. ;-) ———- Post added at 04:55 PM ———- Previous post was at 04:53 PM ———- I have been doing more research and have found similar locks (without a key) for sale between $625 - $2000.
Suzanne There was one on this site. Antique locks & keys - The Blacksmith Shop and Architectural Antique: hand forged lock plate There is another site that I failed to bookmark and they had some that looked almost identical to mine. They were going for $750 USD and they didn’t work, nor did they have the key.
Tom Gordon Hi Suzanne, Sorry but I still think that they are expensive. It may be better to see actual prices raised on ebay, when one comes up there, rather than those aspirational ones.
Dean Nickel I am going to go with Tom with this. Value is something that is set when it sells. If it never sells you can say it is worth anything. Once it sells it is that value until the next one sells.
Suzanne I understand what you are saying. The site that I failed to book mark was selling them as “American Folk Art” for $750 and actually sold some. People will buy anything, if it is marketed correctly. lol
