Lock grade system?

Dean Nickel

Lock grade system?
On another topic there was a question that brought something to mind. We don’t really have a grade system for locks. Here are some ideas:

UNK - Uninstalled, new in box with all hardware for that lock and instructions in box.
EXK - Excellent - New condition but no box or instructions. Has OEM key/code paper.
EFK – Extremely Fine – Near new condition but some wear, all lines are good. May have OEM key or after market key or code.
VFK – Very Fine – Some wear but all words and lines are good. Has working key or code.
FNK – Fine – The lock has been used, all words are legible, Has working key.
VGK – Very Good – The lock has wear that makes some lines not as clear. Has working key or code.
GDK – Good – The lock is worn but works and some things can’t be made out in the wording. Has working key or code.
AGK – About Good – The lock has heavy wear. Most words are not clear or gone. Has key or code but may not work well.
EF – Extremely Fine – Near new condition but some wear, all lines are good. No key/code.
VF – Very Fine – Some wear but all words and lines are good. No key/code.
FN – Fine – The lock has been used, all words are legible, No key/code.
VG – Very Good – The lock has wear that makes some lines not as clear. No key/code.
GD – Good – The lock is worn but works and some things can’t be made out in the wording. No key/code.
AG – About Good – The lock has heavy wear. Most words are not clear or gone. No key/code.

If coin collectors can have a system to grade coins why not us? Again this just an idea so I would love to hear your thoughts.

Parautoptic

A system that looks at the various aspects of condition and presentation with a number/letter scale might be more flexible.

Something like….

Condition of Lock, Key(s)and Hardware each graded as below.

A+(absolutely as new)
A (light storage marks)
B (signs of wear)
C (light scratches/light corrosion)
D (heavy scratches/heavy corrosion)
E (battered/gouged/worn)
F (very poor)
N (not present)

Completeness

W (complete with all original accessories/instructions)
X (oem key(s))
Y (pattern key(s))
Z (incomplete)

Condition of Packaging

A+(absolutely as new)
A (light storage marks)
B (rubbing/creasing/light price markings)
C (slight damage)
D (heavier damage)
E (battered/dirty/heavy pen marks )
F (very poor)

Presented as:-

Examples:-

DZN = Tatty lock has missing parts and no key

CXB = Lock has light scratches and/or corrosion and oem key with signs of wear.

EYE = Lock has seen a bit of life! so has the non original key.

A+XAWB = Brand new lock,keys and hasp etc. in slightly grubby box.

This scheme needs refinement and will never cover all cases but might do the job?

Dean Nickel

Sounds good to me. I just thought to get the conversation started. As I am a coin collector it is handy to know that grade of the coins in the collection as this leads me to the value on the market. As a lock collector I know the condition but there isn’t a grade, yet. I have noticed that the market is building.

Parautoptic

Looks like we have the chance to set an industry standard!

Tom Gordon

There is already one term in widespread use - NOS or New Old Stock - perhaps equivalent to your “UNK”

Adrian Weber

I have to agree with Tom as I am also familiar with the expression NOS but I like both your rating systems pretty much 🙂

If we could the information in both of them together in one system that would be great!

Donnie

Hello Dean, I can see your coin influence in your rating system…Makes cents to me, pun intended 🙁clap):…..Mint, circulated, fine…etc……….Donnie