REVIER
Well-known member
Thought this heavy bronze lock was neat but probably only from the 50's or so, the more I researched it the older and cooler it seemed to get.
It has an old style handcuff type shackle with a one stamped on the shackle which might point to a manufacturing date.
That date might even be from 1891, 1901 or 1911 and one guy collects these and has a smaller similar one with the same keystone symbol that dates back to 1892.
Below is mine and notice it is in pretty great shape...It will look even better after I tumble it and clean it up good.
There is another pic of an identical one with the cool key that fit it and a page from an old catalogue with locks marked US from the same company with an identical key and that catalogue goes back at least to 100-110 years ago...or could be even older.
These were popular locks sold through mail order way long ago.
The Keystone Lock Works started in 1879 by 3 Fraim brothers.
Over the years 2 of the brothers left, Edward T Fraim kept making locks and his kids came into the company.
He died in 1917 and his son got involved with and bought Slaymaker in the 20's so they made locks with both names for awhile then Slaymaker became independent again in the 30's.
Over the years both companies were eventually folded into others and the Fraim/Keystone company finally folded in the 50's.
Lots of old iconic lock companies were founded and manufactured in Lancaster Pennsylvania because they had foundries there that could do this stuff well.
Not 100% sure yet but this thing might actually be over 100 years old so crossing my fingers.
It has an old style handcuff type shackle with a one stamped on the shackle which might point to a manufacturing date.
That date might even be from 1891, 1901 or 1911 and one guy collects these and has a smaller similar one with the same keystone symbol that dates back to 1892.
Below is mine and notice it is in pretty great shape...It will look even better after I tumble it and clean it up good.
There is another pic of an identical one with the cool key that fit it and a page from an old catalogue with locks marked US from the same company with an identical key and that catalogue goes back at least to 100-110 years ago...or could be even older.
These were popular locks sold through mail order way long ago.
The Keystone Lock Works started in 1879 by 3 Fraim brothers.
Over the years 2 of the brothers left, Edward T Fraim kept making locks and his kids came into the company.
He died in 1917 and his son got involved with and bought Slaymaker in the 20's so they made locks with both names for awhile then Slaymaker became independent again in the 30's.
Over the years both companies were eventually folded into others and the Fraim/Keystone company finally folded in the 50's.
Lots of old iconic lock companies were founded and manufactured in Lancaster Pennsylvania because they had foundries there that could do this stuff well.
Not 100% sure yet but this thing might actually be over 100 years old so crossing my fingers.
