History of Locks
Lord Hayter holding a lock similar in design to lock number 452 . A portrait of Charles Chubb hangs in the background as if looking on in approval .
The final development of the detector , still using a steel spring that laid parallel with the bolt tail and in conjunction with conventional pocketed levers . It was known as the definitive Detector .
Chubb , from the beginning , wanted to promote their identity as the best lockmakers of security locks . They spared no effort in producing promotional material and attending exhibitions . This exhibition key , measuring 200mm and gold plated , featured in The Great Exhibition . for patent drawings to differ from the actual production item . It ’ s widely thought that an example based on the drawing is unlikely to have been produced commercially . The earliest known example of a Chubb lock , ( serial number 452 , which dates it to about December 1819 ) found on a Carron cast iron strong box is now in the care of the ‘ History of Locks Museum ’ and forms part of the ‘ Heritage Collection ’. Carron were a company specialising in casting everything including railings , post boxes and cannon and of course strongboxes . These boxes have been found with all manner of locks fitted – box of wards and simple tumbler locks as well this Chubb detector lock . It seems that Carron would supply the castings and leave it to the local blacksmith to fit a lock of the customer ’ s choice .
Locks up to 1824 required a separate regulating key to reset the detector . Charles , Jeremiah ’ s brother , took out a patent ( Number 4972 , 15th June 1824 ) whereby the normal operating key would also reset the detector . The early locks required a separate regulating key . This is another valuable clue when looking at early unmarked detector locks . 1833 saw another patent , ( number 6527 , dated 15th December 1833 ) known as Chubbs New Patent , which did away with the brass rocker arm type of detector and which was now a sprung steel strip with a hook on the end that latched on to small extensions to the new style kidney shaped levers when they were over lifted .
Chubb didn ’ t start to make safes until about 1835 , however their locks proved very popular and were made in many sizes and for all applications such as attaché cases and dispatch boxes through to safe and strongrooms . In those early days the demand for Chubb ’ s lock was such that some production was put out to other lock makers . Richards was one of Chubbs ’ sub-contractors . Richards in turn
‘ Chubb didn ’ t start to make safes until about 1835 , however their locks proved very popular and were made in many sizes and for all applications ’
and without Chubb ’ s knowledge or consent further subcontract to other locksmiths , one of which was Nathaniel Hart . Hart claimed he could open the Chubb lock and invented his own design . Chubb denied that the lock could be opened and that was left to another expert some years later , Alfred Hobbs , to exploit the weaknesses in the early design and forcing another improvement .
However by carefully looking at the design features in the drawings and pictures , locksmiths may well be able to identify some of the missing links of the Chubb brothers ’ activities before and leading up to the 1818 patent , an area which history records with many contradicting facts and much intrigue . So the first 200 years has seen immense development but with the electric / electronic / digital application in locks it will be interesting how what I call the 1st principle in locking evolves .
Brian Morland , curator of the Heritage Collection of locks and keys , welcomes comments and corrections on historical aspects of locks and keys . Brian can be contacted by email : brian @ emorlands . com
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JAN / FEB 2021
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