Allegheny 4 Lever

Blindluck

Would like to find out what my dug lock is worth. Thanks

Dean Nickel

In that shape I would say $0-4 as it looks like you pulled out of the ground and it will have spring problems even if you can make a key if it was in the ground.

Blindluck

Halflock wrote
In that shape I would say $0-4 as it looks like you pulled out of the ground and it will have spring problems even if you can make a key if it was in the ground.

The reason I joined the site was to get a better handle on the value of this dug lock. I was told by a collector that the price of this lock in excellent condition was around $400.00. In the condition your lock is in around $50.00. Just wanted a second opinion and make sure I wasn’t giving it away at the price he offered. Thanks for your reply.

[unknown]

Angusbuddy

🙂-:

Blindluck

Second opinion offered, $50 would be a fair price for the lock. $400 in prestine condition is a stretch but might!! bring that kind of money. My suggestion would be to clean it up a little without taking away the natural patina, it’s brass inside and out so nothing harsh just an inside cleansing. Post on Ebay and you might get up to $100 or better but be honest in your discription.[/QUOTE]
Angusbuddy, Thank you for your knowledgeable reply. The lock was sold for $50.00 a far stretch from the unknowable reply from halflock at $0-4. Sorry for the shot but you wasted my time.

[unknown]

thelockcollector

Blindluck wrote
a far stretch from the unknowable reply from halflock at $0-4. Sorry for the shot but you wasted my time.

I love how people ask for advice or help, and then criticize the person who tried to help them.

[unknown]

Dean Nickel

My feelings are not hurt. I am going on a comparison between padlocks of the same type but different names I have in several books. But if he was able to get $50 for it then that is what the market will pay today. Tomorrow that will change as it always does. It all comes down to what will someone pay. I like a working padlock so I wouldn’t pay very much for that lock. Someone just wanted that name in their padlock collection and that is cool.:8):

Angusbuddy

I’m not trying to hit a nerve but I kind of agree with Blindluck. People come to this site with questions and expect a somewhat knowledgable reply or answer to their questions. A response of 0-4 dollars was in my mind baseless. Just for thought,,,,🙁blush):

Blindluck

I will only be posting here when I find my next dug, out of the ground lock. Knowledge is the key to all questions. Thanks all🙁hi):

oldbiscuit

I’m sorry if anyone feels upset about this thread,but I’ve got to agree with Halflock. Given the fact that the lock was dug up out of the ground would be a red flag that the insides will no doubt be in bad shape. Now to a collector who wants to go to the trouble and expense of having it restored it might be worth the money,but you have to find that collector. I’ve been collecting padlocks for more than 30 years and I have rebuilt several locks along the way,but personally I wouldn’t have paid $50 for it in it’s present shape. But if you follow locks on ebay lately you’ll notice that there are people out there who will spend extreme amounts of money for what most collectors would consider common ordinary locks. I’ve seen locks sell lately for several hundred dollers that last year were bringing less than $25 and yet I’ve noticed that some rarer locks worth lots of money aren’t meeting the reserve price. When someone asks for an appraisel with just one picture and limited explanation, I doubt anyone would be willing to give it a high value.:x:

Paul Prescott

I agree with Halflock too. While I’m not a collector of padlocks I strongly doubt any collector would pay more than a token amount for a lock which is going to be just a non-working example. If it’s worth $400 in perfect order then I would expect a value of less than 5 % of that in such condition.

If you can sell it for more - well done.

Blindluck

The lock restored and working.

Angusbuddy

Atta Boy Blindluck, I’m glad you posted the finished product. Maybe now the nay sayers might might realize their shortfalls about jumping to conclusions without first looking at what they’re jumping into. $0 - $4 was as I said before a baseless response. Truth be told the lock is a rather obscure logo and a 4 lever pancake is normally worth double it’s 6 lever partner. I don’t think it’s out of line to say if it were offered on ebay you would see well over the $200 mark. Best regards, Angusbuddy 🙁y):

oldbiscuit

Nice lock Blindluck ! I don’t agree with the title of “Naysayers”, but from your origional picture and description, that lock looked in pretty sad shape. what all did you have to do to it to get it restored? Were the springs rusted out? I see that you have a key so I’m assuming you have it working? It’s always a great feeling when you can take a lock apart, rebuild it and fit it with a key without removing the origional patena. Good job!! 🙁bow):Mark
P.S. I thought in an earlier post you said you sold it for $50,I bet your glad you kept it now.

bbcci

I’m a bit confused here Blindluck. Your previous post states the lock was sold for $50. I assumed that was in its as found condition(your first picture) and was surprised it brought that much.

I would not mind seeing this water go under the bridge and focus on something else in your thread that does have interest to me and possibly others here. That is your reconditioning work. A very nice job!

If you would be interested in starting a reconditioning thread and start it out with that example, I think it would be a plus for the sight and some of the members. Inquiring minds want to know-I’m one of them. I would heartily support such a topic as I have a drawer full of picture A locks that I would love to turn into picture B locks. Not Allegheny 4levers of course, but as is, as found, pennies on the dollar kind of locks that need help.

Thanks - Bill

Blindluck

Yes guys, the lock was sold to David Heuerman. The buyer was kind enough to let me know the status when he received the lock and its condition and processes for cleaning and patinating. It was a pleasure conversing with him buy phone and emails. The rarity of the lock is why the fifty dollars was offered in its dug state. I was told by David that he only knows of about sixteen examples. I do restore artifacts for a museum but not locks, yet. This was a masterful job indeed in less then two weeks. The results are a working lock that was saved from the dreaded box in the corner. Thank you for all input from everyone that responded.