Hobbs & Co. London Brass Custom Department Lock

I could not get around the fact that this was being offered from India, thinking all the time that this could be a fake. But looking at the photos of an original one, I suspect that this was actually a good deal, or not. See photos at Antique Padlocks.

Vintage Hobbs & Co. London Brass Custom Department Lock.

Made for Bombay Excise Department.

Very rare lock.

Solid & Heavy,

Key working but not original.

See Photos for more details & actual condition.

Size : 8 x 5 x 14 Cm ( 3.5 x 2 x 5.5 Inch ) Approx.

Weight : 1240 Grams - eBay ()

This padlock had a 'Buy-it-Now' price of $165 (Plus free Shipping).
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UPDATE

It helps to keep in mind that most things that appear to be too good to be true most likely are, especially in the lock collecting world when apparently 'rare' items are to be found in India, a place known for fakes.

I am now convinced that the listed above was for a copy of a Hobbs padlock, as magically two more have been found in India. What are the chances? And just what would be the chances that they would all be listed with a 'Buy-it-Now' price....

Listing Link


Listing Link

1870's TOWER IMMATATION DETECTIVE Handcuffs

Here is a nice set of counterfeit handcuffs. Note the slight differences from the real Pinkerton handcuffs seen here:

nice set of 1870's TOWER IMMATION handcuffs complete with a nice working key...... the maker of the IMMATATION TOWER was put out of business shortly after making them as they were charged with INFRINGMENT rights from the real TOWER handcuff maker...... therefore, the IMMATATION TOWER DETECTIVE is actually RARER then the TOWER DETECTIVE ......... some of the difference's in THIS cuff are the STRAIGHT cuts accross the BOW, the PROTRUDING rivet pins in the hinges, & a NOTCH where the bow goes into the body of the cuff......... - eBay (9 Feb 2010)

These handcuffs had a 'Buy-it-Now' price of $285 (Plus $8.50 Shipping).
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Replica SKULL & BONES Padlocks

Here are some replica Skull & Bones padlocks that came up for auction recently. You can see a real one here:

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RARE ANTIQUE SKULL & BONES PIRATE PADLOCK & KEYS LOCK!

AVAST ME HEARTIES!!!

THANK YOU FOR VISITING ANOTHER AMAZING AUCTION FROM LOR- AND-ME

ULTIMATE COLLECTORS PIECE

HIGHEST QUALITY

HERE WE HAVE A AUTHENTIC VINTAGE REPRO OF A 1800s

PIRATES PADLOCK & KEYS!!!

WITH FREE SHIPPING!!

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE MUST HAVE FOR ANY AVID PIRATES

LOW BUY IT NOW

OTHER PIRATE PADLOCKS SELL FOR ALOT LESS THEN THIS ONE ON EBAY

THERE IS ABSOULTLY NO WAY TO COMPARE THEM JUST LOOK AT THE PICTURES THE QUALITY OF THIS LOCK AND KEYS IS SUPERB

THIS IS VERY COOL!!!

modeled on a lock that was manufactured during the latter part of the 19th century in New England. It measures 2 ½" x 3 ½" x ¾" (9 x 6.7 x 1.9cm). The quarter is shown for size comparison. Each lock comes with two keys, which slide into a slot on the bottom to open the lock. All of the keys are the same for all of the locks. It also comes in a great-looking box. These padlocks are perfect for locking up your treasure chest. - eBay (24 April 09)

This padlock had a 'Buy-it-Now' price of $59.95 (Plus Free Shipping) but failed to sell.
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Scull & bones padlock W/key steampunk

Cast iron , 3 1/4" x 2 1/2" marked # 85 on back. Push key in the bottom slot and the hasp springs open. Good working condition. - eBay (1 May 09)

This padlock sold for $35 (Plus $5 Shipping).
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FAKE - "Leg Irons/Handcuffs-Pat. 1870"

Things are not as they always appear to be. In this case someone has put together a couple of items and declared them to be leg irons. This could have happened recently or a long time ago.

Leg irons, appear to be keyless-lock by placing a pegged block under the brass covers. Marked on each brass cover plate with a Federal Eagle and "Patent/Jan. 18 & Nov. 28/1870", marked with three "X"s on each cuff, 12" of chain, weigh almost two pounds. No locking pieces, one opens-one is froze, one cover plate is well marked-other is worn, peg stop for one cover plate is broken off. Please e-mail with any questions. - eBay (15 April 09)

This item had a high bid of $102.50 (Plus $7.10 Shipping) but failed to meet the reserve price.

Here is more information on what these appear to be from the HANDCUFFS.ORG Forum:

If I remember correctly these are not handcuffs but two railroad seals put together to make a handcuff. - Handcuffs.org Forum (Click the link to read the full discussion on this item)

As always, buyer beware.
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Fake Winchester Padlock

With many of the popular valuable antique locks, one has to be concerned about the fakes that are floating around. This auction does the right think and states that the lock is a copy and not an original. Although he probably should have noting the same in the auction's title:

Vintage WINCHESTER Padlock w/Orig Key - Up for auction is a REPRODUCTION Winchester Six Lever padlock. This lock is in excellent working condition. Lock is with NO rust or corrosion. The shackle has very good spring tension. - eBay (23 Jan 09)

This padlock had an opening bid of $35 (Plus $6.50 Shipping) but failed to attract any bids.
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Fake Tower Detective Handcuffs

Tower Detective handcuffs, a.k.a. 'Pinkerton Handcuffs' are very cool. They have a nice design and even feel good on. As it so happens, these handcuffs were copied and there are many fakes around. Here is one example:

Antique handcuffs that my Grandfather had, probably from around 1900, good condition with key, few small spots where chrome has come off. - eBay (9 April 09)

This set of handcuffs sold for $202.50 (Plus $5 Shipping) which oddly enough is more than what I paid for my first set of Pinkerton's a couple months ago.
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Fake - "Slavery Handcuffs/ Shackles"

Don't kid yourself. These are fake, fake, fake:

Pair of slavery shackles or cuffs from North Carolina dating to the late 1800'S or early 1900'S. I am not sure on the origin or authenticity of item. I had an email that these cuffs might be reproduction, of course there is nothing to support this. They do look nice and the tin plaques are in good shape. Please look at pictures. This is a great piece of black americana. I accept personal checks which will take 10 business days to clear.

Shipping is $6.00 priority mail within U.S, outside U.S. email me for quote. Insurance would be another $1.70. Good luck and happy bidding. As always email me with any questions.

ALL SALES ARE FINAL, NO EXCEPTIONS. - eBay

Of course the sale is final. He disclosed that they might not be what he claims that they are. This way he can say that he didn't know and that the auction was made in good faith, and then if the buyer points out how obviously fake they are, the seller can point out that if that is the case, they they were obviously that fake during the auction as well.

Can't say the actual reason or motivation the seller has for this posting. If I had to gues, I'd say that he was stupid enough to buy them thinking that they were actual slave shackles. Also amusing in this auction is the time period he mentions, "dating to the late 1800'S or early 1900'S." Slavery was already gone by that time, eliminated as a result of the Civil War...

This fake set of handcuffs has an opening bid of $50 (Plus $6 Shipping) but as of posting, with less than a day left in the auction, has yet to attract any bids.
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ANTIQUE IRON LOCK PADLOCK

Apparently old, and ugly. This is outside of what I collect, but interesting anyway which is why I posted it:

A very heavy old iron lock queer in shape and size is here for bid. Its crude and rustic shape indicates that it is hand made and a piece of antiquity.
Bid and win.

The brass lcok on the left side is to show the difference in size and is not for bidding.

Measures 5.5"x 5.8"x .9".

Key is duplicate. - eBay

If I had to guess, I would say that this is a fake and not an antique. Whether or not the seller knew is not something I am going to wonder, but given the selling price, that would indicate something less than rare.

This padlock sold for $68.50 (Plus $21.99 Shipping).
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Antique Chinese Police Handcuff (Fake?)

I have serious doubts on these being antique handcuffs given the time period these claim to come from:

Old chinese police handcuff ,The handcuff year about 1850-1900.With insurance is rare. The key is lost. Age: 1850-1899 - eBay

These were clearly copies of a western-style handcuff that made it to china. I do not think that handcuffs from the late 1800's looked like this. Not only that, but they seems to be doubling locking handcuffs. That would be extremely rare from that time, if ever available on any handcuffs at the time.

They are listed with a 'buy it now' price of $135 (Plus $15 shipping). That is probably the last givaway that these are not as old as claimed as if they were that old they would probably be selling for more. Instead, this pair languished on eBay, unsold.

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FAKE: "USN brass lock - federal # 5 - W. Bell & Sons"

Beware, this lock is either a copy of an authentic lock or an outright fake.

this brass lock was made in phila, pa by the w. bell and sons locksmith company for the USN - it is marked federal # 5 and 4 brass levers- it is 2 3/4 x 4 inches closed and comes with its original 2 keys-each key has the numeral 5 on them-this is an official us navy dept lock - eBay

My guess is that this lock was made in India, Pakistan or some other place in the region. Look at the key. When was the last time you saw an antique key that looked like that? Also, this lock has two keys which is a rare find for genuine antique locks. The lock looks brand new, which if it were real would of at least shown signs of longterm-storage or at leat minimal use. Also, if still 'new' where is the package or wrapping? Including that in the offer might result in a higher bid price. I had actually purchased the first one of these that I had seen listed but ended up returning it as it was obvious that it was a fake upon receipt. Which my lock mentioned that it was all brass, as this one proclaims, the internal pieces were not made of brass, and were already somewhat rusted.

There have been other variations of this lock to appear in eBay which at least makes it easier to spot them as fakes.

This item sold for $11.50 (Plus $6.45 in shipping.) It is OK to buy a fake, provided that you know it is, and I would also say that the poster admits as much. This listing proclaimed the item as genuine.

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