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MUSEUM NOTICE BOARD |
Recent  Finds
We are constantly scouring the world for artefacts to extend the collection.
A few recent acquisitions…
Hobbs 12" Anti-Violence Lock.
16/17th century Armarda chest.
Yale 56 hour pindial time lock.
The earlist known Chubb lock - more...
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 Our Papers - Latest additions
 | The Clare Lock Collection
An Inspiration To Collectors And A Tribute To Tony Clare
by Mike Fincher & Brian Morland
40 A4 pages, spiral bound - £8 + P&P
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 | The Chatwood Story
by Tony Clare
43 A4 pages, spiral bound - £10 + P&P
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Contact Us to order
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| More Papers... More Notices... |
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Welcome to the fascinating world of Locks & Keys...
This virtual lock museum is dedicated to all those people who like anything to do with...
The History and Development of the Lock and Key.
The lock and key to most people is a mysterious object, we put all our trust and faith into it when we lock the front door or lock up the safe.
Even though we religiously follow this ritual, often many times each day, few are fully aware of what mechanical forces have been activated, but we have fulfilled a very fundamental psychological need.
We go about our daily routines in the knowledge that our homes and possessions are safe.
We have performed the ritual of locking up.
Archaeology is gaining in popularity.
TV programs and films, like, on the one hand Time Team and on the other Indiana Jones have done much to capture the imagination and inspire.
In the field of Industrial Archaeology or Industrial History, Locks and Keys are no less worthy of attention.
In fact its sometimes said that the craft of the locksmith is the second oldest profession!
Certainly mans possessions have always been coveted and therefore the need to keep them secure has been a necessity from the earliest times.
The study of historical or antique locks and keys is a specialised sector of Industrial Archaeology.
Not only does it look at the various ways in which a mechanical device achieves its aim but also says something about the basic need on the one hand to protect and secure property and possessions, but it also reminds us of another, darker, aspect of the human instinct.
Of course there are also interesting stories surrounding some artefacts in the collection.
Like any custodian of a collection of artefacts we to research into their use and background.
Take for instance the Boda-Panza lock and its association with Von Ribbontrop, Hitlers foreign minister, just before WWII.
Or the relationship of King George III and George Davis of Windsor, who was locksmith in ordinary to His Majesty.
Davis, in 1799, invented and patented a unique style of lock, which was also beautifully engraved with a warning not to make duplicate keys.
Sensitive government secrets always demanded, then as today, locks that were state of the art.
Davis locks ended up on government dispatch boxes of the time.
Our research takes us on many adventures in search of treasure, not so much the contents of strongboxes and safes, but those actual objects of the locksmiths craft of past ages is the "treasure" we actively seek out, and this also very often extends both the collection and our knowledge.
These fascinating aspects are what these virtual History of Locks Museum pages are all about and will hopefully bring some of the mysterious objects of the locksmiths' art and craft alive.
To this end the project not only attempts to gather and display the beautiful and ingenious items of metalwork but also books, manuscripts, catalogues, and other printed matter on the subject.
We all know the analogy of a grain of sand doesn't make a beach... but hopefully with enough snippets of information a more complete picture can be built, understood and enjoyed.
We especially acknowledge and are grateful to the many individuals that have helped and contributed.
Please feel free to make contact via the e-mail links provided with enquiries.
Alternatively you are welcome to view, join and take part in The History of Locks Forum if you would like to add, correct or comment in any way.
Additionally many of the links here will take you to more information within this site or may take you to the HoL Forum Library, where you can view / download relevant documents such as patent specifications, instruction manuals etc.
If you have not yet registered for free Forum access request a password at the prompt.
Registration is quick, simple and free.
In the mean time its hoped you enjoy browsing our Galleries.
Brian Morland
brian@morlands.demon.co.uk
A note about copyright.
This project represents considerable time and effort, please therefore respect our work.
Permission is given to download for personal, non-commercial use only - no permission is given for private or commercial use of either the text or pictures including republication.
If you like what you see here then do please link to our site.
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Charles Chubb
1772 - 1846
Founder of the Chubb firm.
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Joseph Bramah
1749 - 1814
Patentee of a locking principal that didn't rely on fixed wards or complicated shapes.
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George Price
1819 - 1887
Author of "The Locksmiths Bible" .
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