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Antique Lock Types
Protecting our valuables and property has been a concern of people throughout time. I suppose hiding valuables or guarding them constantly was always an option but the invention of the lock gave people a sense of security. There have been many locks throughout history of which some like the pin lock offered little or no security.
Antique rim locks have been around for hundreds of years and were imported from England until the United States developed their own lock industry in the 1800's. The antique rim lock is mounted on the surface of the door and the body of the lock is seen on the side of the door on which it is mounted. Although these locks are still produced, they are mostly used for internal doors where security is not a problem.
Antique padlocks were originally used as travel locks to protect valuables while travelling. They were small in size and came in a variety of shapes. Originally they were operated by keys but for better efficiency antique combination padlocks were developed. Combination padlocks do not use keys. Instead, the lock opens when its wheels are lined up correctly to display the correct combination. The combination could be letters or numbers.
The antique mortise lock is one that requires a pocket (the mortise) to be cut into the door into which the lock is to be fitted. These locks are found mostly on older buildings but more recently have become common in commercial and residential buildings such as apartments and condominiums. The installation of a mortise lock requires a working knowledge of woodworking tools and methods and therefore is usually installed by an expert.
Locks have been made of many materials in the past such as wood, brass and iron and they have gone from the simplest construction to the more intricate keyless entry deadbolts. Although some are better than others, they all seem to give us a sense of security which in the end is what we all strive for.
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Antique Locks