Can't Find The Age Range/Rarity For This Very Old Looking F-S Padlock. Any Help Here?

[Critterhunter]

Thus far I've found some F-S locks that are more plain looking and don't look nearly as old as this padlock that are going for $30 to $50, and some of those without keys or being in working order too. This lock is in very good shape for being in the ground. I has soaked it in olive oil to remove the crud and protect it. I also ran across a few sites that show F-S locks that don't look as old as this and are more plain that they hint to being worth a good chunk of money due to their rarity. The fact that I can't find any pictures yet on the web of mine has me thinking it might be a pretty rare and older one of their padlocks. Anybody have any idea of it's age and value? Picture below...

 

[Dodqe]

Can you take a closer pic? Need to see more detail...


Also, happy 7000th post! (in 3...2...1...)

 

[taz42o]

I dont know the age but here is one on ebay you can watch and see what it sells for.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Excellent-Vintage-Fancy-Brass-F-S-Padlock-Lock-Fraim-Slaymaker-Hardware-No-Key-R-/290771176752?pt=Architectural_Garden&hash=item43b3500d30

 

[Critterhunter]

That's the exact same lock! Thanks! I tried ebay but couldn't find any that looked like it. I had only soaked the lock in olive oil before the picture was taken but just now I took some soap and water and a soft brush to it because it was still fairly caked with dirt. I made sure not to scrub too hard to remove any pantina becuase I just wanted to get the olive oil soaked dirt off of it. I can now see rements of the colors in the patterns on it like the picture of the one on Fleabay.

I'll be watching that ebay link closely to see what that lock goes for as it looks like it was just posted (?) having over 3 days left to go on it and no bids yet. He doesn't have a key for his either but obviously it's in batter shape, but for being dug out of the ground mine is in pretty good shape being brass. I'm surprised mine still has rements of the colors on the pattern depressions on the face. I'll post another picture of mine cleaned up here and with a better view of it by tomorrow.

Also, the Fleabay posting says the "F-S" stands for Fraim-Slaymaker Hardware. So now I know the full name of that lock where as I couldn't find that surfing the web. Now I can do some more searching using that name and see if I can come up with an age or value on it. Thanks again.

Here's the picture of it from Fleabay...

 

[Critterhunter]

Got a better picture of mine now that I've washed it with soap and water to get the olive oil/and dirt slick off of it. As you can see it still has some paint on the recessed patterns...

 

[PowerDetecting]

looks like a good candidate for some electrolysis.

 

[Critterhunter]

It's brass. If I wanted to clean it up a polishing wheel would do wonders, but if it has any value (probably not) that would destroy it I would think if locks are the same deal as coins? I only electralysis my bronce or copper coins that are real crusty with green hard crud and have no value otherwise. Sometimes I'll do a common date silver if baking soda rubbed with water between my fingers won't take the black off, and I also use it on silver rings where I can't clean between the tight areas and such. If it turns out this lock isn't worth even $20 to somebody then I'll polish it on a wheel and re-post a picture. I've got to watch that Ebay link he posted and see if that lock gets anything. Then I'll know I've got a dud here, which I probably do but just the same can't hurt to find out first.

 

[Aarong81]

Since the original poster mentioned electralysis on crusty pennies, The following is strictly for cull pennies that you just want cleaned to ID or help bring out details for your own collection....One trick I found with the hard green crust on pennies is to lay it in my palm with a pool of water and add 1 drop of toilet bowl cleaner(with hydrocloric acid) and quickly swirl it around so it deosnt sit in one spot too long. The green crust flys off the coin, you just need to start out with a tiny amount of bowl cleaner with a good amount of water in your hand. Try it on some crusty pennies that are definitely junk and check out the results. I never use this method for pre-wheatie's though just because it obviously takes the value away.

now, back on topic with your PADLOCK...lol

I think you have it cleaned up really nice already! I don't see any room for improvements considering it has been sitting in the ground for alot of decades. Its very identifiable as it is, you can't expect it to be usable or shiny again. Although you can make it shine if thats what your wanting.

 

[Critterhunter]

When it turns out it has no value of even $20 I'll take a polishing wheel on a table grinder to it just to buff it to a super brass shine. I think it would look great as a paper weight like that. I don't know why they painted the recessed patterns like that as I think it makes the lock look cheesy.

Good tip on the green crust on pennies. Another trick...Heat it up sitting in a spoon or holder with pliers over a candle or some other flame. Get it good and hot and then throw it quickly into some cold water. It'll shock the crud right off of it. That even is safer than electralysis in some ways because electralysis can pit the coin more than it already is due to the nature of how it works. Some relic hunters will heat their big iron, brass, or such finds in the camp fire that night and then throw it in a bucket of water. It shocks the crust right off. After that for larger items paint them with rust killing extend to convert the rust to a barrier to protect them.

For old copper or bronze coins, some guys throw then right into a bottle of soapy water as soon as they find them so the air can't degrade them. Then when they get home they'll coat them with olive oil to protect them. Same deal with old buttons and other copper/bronze/ect objects. The air will quickly degrade some of these finds. I've stuck an old indian in my pocket and got home and pulled it out and it was in way worse shape from the air attacking it. Olive oil rubbed over it and the sides too (important!) will protect it and also bring out the details like you wouldn't believe.

Some guys will soak copper or bronze coins in olive oil for months to remove the crud. I've tried that and it never seems to do anything for them, so I only dunk stuff in olive oil now just to say loosen the parts on something. Like that old lock, as it freed the locking part nicely and it moves now.