American lock companies during the Victorian era had a flair for the ornate. Russell and Erwin, Trenton Lock Company, Norwich Lock Company, National Hardware Company and others created fabulous designs during this period and the American story lock was born. One of the most popular and common story locks is called the werewolf padlock:
The werewolf antique padlock was manufactured by the Trenton Lock Company around 1885 or later. The Trenton lock company had other story locks too. The china man, evil eye padlock and hunchback story locks all came from the Trenton lock company
evil eye / all-see eye story lock link #1
The Trenton Lock company wasn’t alone in manufacturing elaborate and ornate story locks during this period. Here are some examples from Russell and Erwin and the Norwich Lock company:
Masonic story lock by the Norwich Lock Co
Diana Story lock by Russell and Erwin
Cherub story lock by Russell and Erwin
Aztec antique story lock by Russell & Erwin
No discussion about American story locks would be complete without discussing the National Hardware Co. Here are some classic example of story locks produced by the National Hardware company.
Skull and crossbones story lock by National hardware co. link #1
Skull and crossbones story lock by National Hardware co link #2
This National Hardware company story lock doesn’t tell much of a story, but most lock collectors still consider it part of the gang:
National Hardware company logo story lock
View Comments (1)
Amazing pictures! Thank you for such great details about locks. I've always been fascinated by them.