BRASS US CUSTOMS PADLOCK LOCK W/ COUNTER

This ia a very cool auction, mostly because the customs padlock comes with an original key. This is the first time I remember seeing one. I suspect that is why this lock went as high as it did.

ANTIQUE RARE BRASS US CUSTOMS PADLOCK LOCK W/ COUNTER & ORIGINAL KEY PAT 1879 ANTIQUE AMERICAN US CUSTOMS PADLOCK. SOLID BRASS, GORGEOUS PATINA. WORKS GREAT. HAS COUNTER. COUNTER HAS THE ORIGINAL GLASS. PADLOCK COMES WITH ORIGINAL KEY. KEY IS MARKED US CUSTOMS ON ONE SIDE AND 574 ON THE OTHER SIDE. PADLOCK IS MARKED S1 ON THE SHACKLE. IT IS ALSO MARKED "US CUSTOMS 7011" ON THE FRONT. ONT HE BACK IT HAS TWO SWORDS CROSSING AND IT IS MARKED "TRADE UTLS MARK PAT SEPT 30 79" SO THIS WAS MADE AROUND 1880's. - eBay (4 March 2013)

This padlock had a high bid of $1,125 (Plus $9.95 Shipping).
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1890s RPO lock padlock

Here is an example of a recent sale for this kind of seal padlock.

 

 

1890s cast brass case lock with rotating shackle This padlock has a cast case, shackle collar, and rotating shackle made of architectural bronze. It is sold with a fitted key. What you see is what you get. The serial number is H 8798 and it has been opened 0354 times --I tried it a couple of times after taking the last photo to make certain that it works smoothly. The key opens the lock and can be removed.

Please check my other listings for other items that might be interesting collateral items for your collection. If you purchase one of those other lots, this group can be added for $4 covering incremental postage. There is never a reserve for any of my auctions.

Locked bags were transported aboard RPOs in the custody of the Clerk-in-Charge.

Proceeds benefit restoration of the Boyce, Virginia, railway station as well as monthly utility expenses. - eBay (6 Jan 2013)

This padlock had a high bid of $137.50 (Plus $8 Shipping).
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US customs rotary padlock w/key. Marked for Northern Pacific Railroad

It is amazing how simple this Customs padlock key appears to be.

Up for auction is a nice old vintage US customs department rotary style padlock in good condition. The lock is marked for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Lock opens and closes but the numbers don't seem to be rotating consistently. Sometimes they do but most times not. Repair/lube I don't know so just be aware. Still a very nice lock for the collector just in time for Christmas. High bidder to pay $8.00 for domestic UPS/USPS shipping. Insurance included. International, Hawaii, and Alaska pay actual UPS or USPS rate. - eBay (15 Dec 2012)

This padlock had a high bid of $393 (Plus $8 Shipping).
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Registered Mail gold shipment Treasury Post Office USPO RPO rotary lock padlock

Here is a nice example of a mail counter padlock.

1890s T-series Registered Mail lock This US Registered Mail lock has a cast case, shackle collar, and rotating shackle made of architectural bronze. It is circa 1890s but continued in usage through the 1920s, being repaired when necessary. Although ''rotary'' locks have been occasionally listed on eBay being described as the style selected by Harry Houdini for his renowned mail bag escape trick, prop photos reveal that he used this earlier style of lock that opened with a flat key that he concealed within his cheek. The obsolete flat-style key was assigned to the Treasury Department. Although registered mail shipments passed through the postal system with this lock, Post Office Department employees could not open those pouches with their standard-issue keys. Only U.S. Treasury personnel were assigned keys to unlock shipments of currency and coin. This included small quantities of gold coin prior to 1933. This lock is sold with a professionally-fitted reproduction key that operates the lock and is in excellent condition. There is a small bronze flap covering the rotary numbers ''in the window'' that is currently 0091, meaning it had been opened 91 times. The lock serial number is T 1268 and is ex-Mundy collection. All features of the lock are clear and distinct, even though the back view is fuzzy around the edges because used a camera which doesn't have much depth of field for close-up snapshots. Please check my other listings for other items that might be interesting collateral items for your collection. If you purchase one of those other lots, this group can be added for $4 covering incremental postage. There is never a reserve for any of my auctions. Locked pouches were transported aboard RPOs in the custody of the Railway Mail Clerk-in-Charge and the registry clerk. Proceeds benefit restoration of the Boyce, Virginia, railway station as well as monthly utility expenses. - eBay (17 June 2012)

This padlock had a high bid of $437.87 (Plus $8 Shipping).
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1880s T-series Registered Mail lock

Here is a very nice and relatively rare US Registered Mail padlock.

1880s T-series Registered Mail lock

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This US Registered Mail lock has a cast case, shackle collar, and rotating shackle made of architectural bronze. It is circa 1880s but continued in usage through the 1920s, being repaired when necessary. Although ''rotary'' locks have been occasionally listed on eBay being described as the style selected by Harry Houdini for his renowned mail bag escape trick, prop photos reveal that he used this earlier style of lock that opened with a flat key that he concealed within his cheek. The obsolete flat-style key was assigned to the Treasury Department. Although registered mail shipments passed through the postal system with this lock, Post Office Department employees could not open those pouches with their standard-issue keys. Only U.S. Treasury personnel were assigned keys to unlock shipments of currency and coin.

This lock is sold with a professionally-fitted reproduction key that operates the lock and is in excellent condition. There is a small bronze flap covering the rotary numbers ''in the window'' that is currently 0131, meaning it had been opened 131 times. The lock serial number is T 2449 and is ex-Mundy collection. All features of the lock are clear and distinct, even though the back view is fuzzy around the edges because used a camera which doesn't have much depth of field for close-up snapshots.

The ''T-Series'' lock and key were the subject of a short story appearing in RAILROAD STORIES, unknown date, pages 102-127. If anyone has seen this article and knows the issue date, I'd appreciate the information. I will include a copy of the article that was digitally scanned and converted to a document format. There are a few inaccuracies within the story, but it nonetheless makes interesting reading about this legendary lock. - eBay (10/30/2011)

This padlock had a high bid of $455 (Plus $8 Shipping).
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U.S REG'D MAIL PADLOCK

Here is what appears to be a newer version of the US Registered Mail Padlock. This probably explains why this one went for much more than the older ones. Call it the price of having a complete set.

Vintage U.S. Reg'd Mail Padlock & Key S 157405 in as found condition as shown. Everything functions as it should, and glass in very nice condition. Measures 2" x 1 3/4" x 1 1/4" - eBay (16 Sept 2010)

This padlock had a high bid of $270 (Plus $5 Shipping).
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Older US Postal Registered Mail Padlock

Here is a nice example (although not perfect) of an older Registered Mail padlock. Given how rare listings for type are, it seems to be a much rarer version than the one more commonly found on eBay.

BRASS LOCK. US REGED. MAIL. EARLY VERSION OF REGD. MAIL LOCK. NO GLASS IN WINDOW. - eBay (25 July 2010)

This padlock had a high bid of $300 (Plus $9 Shipping).
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US CUSTOMS TLUS LOCK PADLOCK

US Customs lock - TLUS (crossed swords trademark) - #9452 - PAT SEP 30, 78 - NOTE: the counter wheels in the counter mechanism are broken - no key 3” tall - eBay (30 June 2010)

This padlock had a high bid of $219.99 (Plus $5 Shipping).
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US INT. REVENUE COUNTER Padlock

Here is another example of a very rare padlock with internal counter.

A rare solid brass MIX patent counting lock made by the Townsend Lock Mfg. Co., Buffalo, NY. This is a quality lock that is not seen in this good condition anymore. This lock is probably the first US made counting lock. The counting mechanism has an enclosed nickle plated wheel with numbers from 1 to 32. Each time the lock is opened the number changes in a small window. The lock stops at 32 to prevent the lock from cycling through the numbers. A wax seal cup holds the stop. The wax must be broken to reset the lock. The stop has been rotated 90 degrees to make the lock more friendly to operate. The stop can be activated by removing a screw and rotating the stop.

The lock is in very good condition with no major damage. It only has the usual small dents and scrapes found in a lock that has seen service. The lock is well marked US INTERNAL REVENUE on the rear. The lock comes with an operating key and is mechanically perfect. The lock has a five lever mechanism. SIZE: 2.75"w x 3.25"h x 1.25"d. 1.1lb. - eBay (24 Jan 2010)

This padlock had a high bid of $762.99 (Plus $5 Shipping).
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US REGISTERED MAIL COUNTER PADLOCK

Here is another nice example of a rare padlock.

rare U S REG'D MAIL padlock with a COUNTER covered by a GLASS window. which is housed on the side & coverd by a nice bronze weather covering..... .... each time that the lock is unlocked the counter moves 1 number...... FOUR digit counter..... lock comes with a nice locksmith made key & works the lock fine........... - eBay (11 Jan 2010)

This padlock had an opening bid of $1,250 (Plus $8.50 Shipping) but received no bids.

Previous example have sold for $386.06, $381.06 and $385 (here).
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1891 US CUSTOMS SEAL PADLOCK

Here is another very interesting example of a Customs seal padlock and the first one that I have seen that came with a working key.

rare U S CUSTOMS padlock with a COUNTER covered by a GLASS window. which is housed on the side & coverd by a nice bronze weather covering..... .... each time that the lock is unlocked the counter moves 1 number...... FOUR digit counter..... lock comes with a nice locksmith made key & works the lock fine........... - eBay (11 Jan 2010)

This padlock had an opening bid of $1,450 (Plus $8.50 Shipping) but received no bids.

This similar padlock (but without a working key) last sold for $385 (here) and a second one for $348 (here).
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1861-69 U S INTERNAL REVENUE - Counter Seal Padlock

Here is a padlock I would like to add to my collection, if only I had the money to 'waste' on it.

rare U S INTERNAL REVENUE -- COUNTER -- lock complete with a nice working key.... lock is marked -- TOWNSEND PAT'D - DEC. 15, 61 -- JULY 27, 69 (1861-1869) --MAN''F'G CO -- BUFFALO, N.Y. --...... the side that is marked INTERNAL - U.S. - REVENUE -- has a GLASS covered COUNTER indicator above it..... each time that the lock is unlocked, the counter moves 1 number......... this allowed the INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE to be able to tell when the lock was unlocked etc etc ...... lock works great.as does the dust cover......... - eBay (9 Dec 2009)

This padlock had an opening bid of $2,750 (Plus $10 Shipping) but received no bids or best offers.
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REG'D U.S. MAIL COUNTING PADLOCK - SARGENT & GREENLEAF

Here is a different (earlier?) version of the Registered U.S. MAIL Padlock:

A solid brass Sargent & Greenleaf US Mail counting lock. This lock was NOT made by the Government. Note the individual windows for each number and the peaned-over top or the case. There are no screws in this lock. It can not be reset. The lock is mechanically perfect and is supplied with an operating key. The lock is in excellent condition and has no major damage. It has a pin tumbler mechanism. SIZE: 1.75"w x 2.75"h x 1.25"d 9.6oz. - eBay (1 June 09)

This padlock had a high bid of $162.49 (Plus $5 Shipping).
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