Devin wrote:
"Can you give me any information on this padlock?" [posted with photo]
Yes... but not as much info as we'd both like to know. Still, I can point you to an internet website where you might be able to find the rest of the info about it.
First, here's what I do know:
Despite the prominent "US" on it, your padlock is not a US military made - nor US military issued - item. It was manufactured by the United States Lock Company, of Kingston Massachusettes. That is what the "US" on it means. Records show the company was in business in the 1870s, until it was bought out by a competitor lock-maker company in 1876.
See:
http://www.numismalink.com/article1.html
Unfortunately, I can find no info about when the US Lock Co. BEGAN making its US-marked padlocks. I've seen several dug "US" padlocks like yours over the years at relic-shows. I've heard that they are post-war era ...which fits with the 1870s info given above. However, until some "solid" info about when the US Lock Company BEGAN making its US-marked locks is found, we can't be sure they don't date back as far as the 1861-65 time period.
Above, I said I'd seen several of them over the years at relic shows. Two other relic-hunters besides you have dug a "US lock" like yours recently. My websearching found a January 2005 discussion-thread at treasurenet.com about the "US" padlock (with photos) ...but no-one could answer the most important question about it (the date). Still, you might want to read that discussion-thread (for dig-locations) - and compare those photos with yours.
See:
http://www.treasurenet.com/whites/forum/index.php?topic=340.msg11748
I also said I found a website where you might be able to get the missing date info for your padlock. The website is an Antique-Padlock Collecting discussion forum, at antique-locks.com. I suggest you post your photo there and ask those antique-padlock collectors about it.
Go to:
http://www.antique-locks.com/phpBB2/index.php?sid=ca7c0da57a286a38f29960e6da0826ba
Regards,
TheCannonballGuy (Pete George)
