The
History of Locks
Museum & Archive curator: Brian Morland
Preserving artefacts from antiquity to the cutting edge examples of today
Museum Notice Board
2nd -
19th century
19th century
19th century
Padlock: Key Change.
CoR: England.
Sz:
Code
Key: Parautoptic, 6 lever, with Detachable Bit & Adjustable Steps.
CoR: England.
Sz:
Trophy: Aubin’s Exhibition Trophy
CoR: England.
19th century
1851
Aubin
Parnell
Padlock: Defiance Patent.
CoR: England.
19th century
19th century
20th century
Artefacts
19th century
Victorian
5189
Barron
Lock: 2 Tumbler Barron's Patent Box Lock, Fretted.
CoR: England. Sz: 63 x 38mm. Mt: brass, steel. Wt: 80g.
Robert Barron was the first to patent the 'double acting' principle in the 18th century.
This list is randomly organised -
Artefact Number
Make
or Brand
Image Thumbnail
Description/Notes
Date
4996
Sargent & Greenleaf
Time Lock: Single 72 hour Movement.
CoR: USA.
Sz: 114 x 114 x 60mm. Mt: brass, steel, glass. Wt:
2311
Key: Roman
CoR: Roman Empire.
Sz: 49 x 34mm. Mt: Bronze. Wt: 37g.
006
Hobbs
049
021
5105
Marr
Lock: Double Chamber.
CoR: England.
Sz: 140 x 183mm. Mt: iron, brass. Wt: 2.3kg.
The palace of Westminster suffered a devastating fire in 1843; William Marr was awarded the contract for the supply of locks for the new building, this style fitted to the numerous iron doors.
4957
Milner
Lock: C Type.
CoR: England.
Sz: 99 x 88 x 21mm (plus 11mm bolt throw & 32mm nozzle). Mt: iron, brass. Wt: 1.054kg.
With 7 levers featuring a anti-
5125
19th century
1870s
520
Herring & Co
KCL: Dexters Patent
Sn: 38376. CoR: USA. Sz: 160 x 92, plus 45mm bolt extension. Mt: brass, steel. Wt:
Featuring the double drive cam; later adopted by the Manifoil series of combination locks of the mid 20th century.
Key to Abbreviations
As used on HoL web sites and
in artefact & archive documents.
CoR: country or region.
KCL: keyless combination lock.
Mt: materials.
Sn: serial number.
Sz: size.
Wt: weight.
Where to see Artefacts
The download version of these pages identifies where you can see the items featured in the Heritage collection.
Note: Items from the Heritage collection circulate around our various sites so always download the latest version or check with us before travelling to see specific objects.
Detail, lock No. 25 and labelled Price, from the Aubin Lock Trophy featured in the MLA Heritage Room. Art. No. 49.
More sample artefact pages like this to be added shortly.
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