Mystery lock

Scott Klemm

I have a very unusual keyhole plug lock. It appears to be similar to the Bell type lock with the wavy groove on the side of the key. The key is 8 ½ cm in length. The groove is only on one side. The only inscriptions are the name KOLBOLD on one side and the word PATENT and the number 181 on the other. I’m not even sure what country it comes from. It could be American or perhaps German judging from the name.

Has anyone ever seen this lock or knows where it came from?

Scott

Russell Stoner

I wonder, could this lock have been used on a roller shutter for a shop.

In the UK, this used to be an option for shutters. Bit of a pain using such a lock, however, this type of lock could be positioned at a usable height, thus not causing a dicky back from bending down, or making a few swear words, when your padlocks were either vandalised or worse still, had the ‘friday night’ lubrication.

Guys! You know what i mean…

Regards
Russell Stoner

Scott Klemm wrote
I have a very unusual keyhole plug lock. It appears to be similar to the Bell type lock with the wavy groove on the side of the key. The key is 8 ½ cm in length. The groove is only on one side. The only inscriptions are the name KOLBOLD on one side and the word PATENT and the number 181 on the other. I’m not even sure what country it comes from. It could be American or perhaps German judging from the name.

Has anyone ever seen this lock or knows where it came from?

Scott

[unknown]

Scott Klemm

Thanks, Russell, for the information! Have you ever seen this lock before?
Based on when the Bell lock was patented, I would guess this lock dates from the 1920s or early 30s.

Scott

Russell Stoner

Scott,
due to the size of your lock, I would suggest that it would have been used on a office security cupboard, perhaps with a roller shutter.

I suggest you start looking at old furniture catalogues, pre 1960, you may find the true answer!

Regards
Russell

Scott Klemm wrote
Thanks, Russell, for the information! Have you ever seen this lock before?
Based on when the Bell lock was patented, I would guess this lock dates from the 1920s or early 30s.

Scott

[unknown]

Billy B Edwards Jr. CML

It would require a lot of searching as there are many patents for a bit key keyhole lock, but in the US patent office the class to search for is 70/428.
BBE.

Russell Stoner wrote
Scott,
due to the size of your lock, I would suggest that it would have been used on a office security cupboard, perhaps with a roller shutter.

I suggest you start looking at old furniture catalogues, pre 1960, you may find the true answer!

Regards
Russell

[unknown]

Scott Klemm

Thanks, guys, for your opinions and suggestions. I wish I knew for sure that it was American. It could possibly be German based on the sound of the name. But, then of course the U.S. is a land of immigrants.
Scott

Scott Klemm

I believe I may have identified my mystery lock. The reason I say “may” rather than “is” is because it’s hard to tell from the patent papers. The patent illustration is just one small illustration about 2 inches wide! It doesn’t look much like mine, but it does mention the wavy line on the key.

The patent is for a Nonpickable Keyhole Lock by F.T. Hughes. It’s number is 1,810,400 (June 16, 1931). I would be very appreciative if someone else could look over this patent and verify that this is the same one as my keyhole lock.

Thanks,
Scott

Billy B Edwards Jr. CML

If you explode the view to be larger it appears to be a standard pin tumbler.
BBE.

Scott Klemm wrote
I believe I may have identified my mystery lock. The reason I say “may” rather than “is” is because it’s hard to tell from the patent papers. The patent illustration is just one small illustration about 2 inches wide! It doesn’t look much like mine, but it does mention the wavy line on the key.

The patent is for a Nonpickable Keyhole Lock by F.T. Hughes. It’s number is 1,810,400 (June 16, 1931). I would be very appreciative if someone else could look over this patent and verify that this is the same one as my keyhole lock.

Thanks,
Scott

[unknown]

Scott Klemm

Thanks, BBE. I think you’re right. I went back and looked at the patent papers more carefully. The patent describes the “wavy edge” of the key - not a wavy groove on the side of the key. I guess I’m guilty of jumping to the conclusion and seeing what I wanted to see. 🙁-: The lock’s maker and nationality remains a mystery.
Scott