Scandinavian Lock Question

This is not quite a handcuffs question, but it's close.

I'm helping some friends put together an historical exhibit, circa 1850, that includes a ball and chain with a shackle that requires a padlock. I've got this nifty Scandinavian style padlock (rounded lock body, removable hasp, no maker's markings) that works nicely, but I'm not sure if it's correct for the period.

Does anyone out there know if this type of padlock was reasonably available (either domestic made or imported) in the United States prior to the Civil War?

Thanks,

Franklin

Franklin,

As you state most of the Skandinavian padlocks have a round shape but not all of them.
All padlocks below are Swedish, used together with restraints. They are from the 1850 - 1900 era.

Hope that helps!

/Lars

www.holstcollection.com

This is not quite a handcuffs question, but it's close.

I'm helping some friends put together an historical exhibit, circa 1850, that includes a ball and chain with a shackle that requires a padlock. I've got this nifty Scandinavian style padlock (rounded lock body, removable hasp, no maker's markings) that works nicely, but I'm not sure if it's correct for the period.

Does anyone out there know if this type of padlock was reasonably available (either domestic made or imported) in the United States prior to the Civil War?

Thanks,

Franklin

Click to expand...

Thanks Lars.

My use of the word "Scandinavian" may be a bit confusing; I was using it in the sense I've seen locks described on eBay. The one I have in mind is quite similar to this one, although mine is smaller and has no markings:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Scandinavia ... dZViewItem

Franklin

This is not quite a handcuffs question, but it's close.

I'm helping some friends put together an historical exhibit, circa 1850, that includes a ball and chain with a shackle that requires a padlock. I've got this nifty Scandinavian style padlock (rounded lock body, removable hasp, no maker's markings) that works nicely, but I'm not sure if it's correct for the period.

Does anyone out there know if this type of padlock was reasonably available (either domestic made or imported) in the United States prior to the Civil War?

Thanks,

Franklin

Click to expand...

Hi Franklin,

Scandinavian locks go back to 1720 and as a story goes George Washington caused the first American lock of the Scandinavian type to be made. The first US Patent was issued in 1871 which is about 150 years after they were first made.

As long as the key is the heavy iron type and not the flat steel type, I thing this lock would be great for the display.

What does the bottom of the lock look like, just a rectangular hole or is there a design around the hole?

Ron

This is not quite a handcuffs question, but it's close.

I'm helping some friends put together an historical exhibit, circa 1850, that includes a ball and chain with a shackle that requires a padlock. I've got this nifty Scandinavian style padlock (rounded lock body, removable hasp, no maker's markings) that works nicely, but I'm not sure if it's correct for the period.

Does anyone out there know if this type of padlock was reasonably available (either domestic made or imported) in the United States prior to the Civil War?

Thanks,

Franklin

Click to expand...

Thanks Ron.

There's just the rectangular hole on the bottom; no markings of any type. It uses the heavy key with the hole in the end of the key, such that I suppose you would call it a barrel key, although it's flat and double-sided. All in all, nothing really special about it, other than it's smaller than others I've seen, just a tad over 2" (5.5 cm)in overall height. Due to the small size and shape, it works quite well with the shackle and has a corresponding patina, which is why I bought it, although I never was until now reasonably certain it was correct for the time period.

So, while I can't prove it was around in 1850, it seems it can't be positively refuted, and that's what counts. I just wanted to avoid giving a member of the lock police something to gripe about.

Again, thanks to all for your help!

Franklin

This is not quite a handcuffs question, but it's close.

I'm helping some friends put together an historical exhibit, circa 1850, that includes a ball and chain with a shackle that requires a padlock. I've got this nifty Scandinavian style padlock (rounded lock body, removable hasp, no maker's markings) that works nicely, but I'm not sure if it's correct for the period.

Does anyone out there know if this type of padlock was reasonably available (either domestic made or imported) in the United States prior to the Civil War?

Thanks,

Franklin

Click to expand...

Hi.

The name of Scandinavian lock is rather confusing. As Lars stated the most common padlock from that time used on swedish restraints was the round padlocks. Wery old padlocks has been found in sweden as early back as year 1500 probarbly made by german mastersmiths. The name scandinavian locks, or sweidsh locks, was also used on american copies of Polhems locks that are a high security lock dated back to 1700-1710. The cuffs and leg irons i attached, with original padlock, was used in my towns city jail around 1840-1900. The jail was called "the hole for the thievs"

sincerely
Johan
sweden