History of Locks
to the requirements of aircraft . Just imagine bombs rolling around the bomb bay racks of Lancasters !
So , Jack Taylor set to work with his usual flair and before long he had solved all sorts of problems including : - a locking cannon mount for Spitfires and Hurricanes , tow rope release mechanism for gliders , torpedo drop catch for Swordfish aircraft , and many , many other arrangements . It was during an air-raid that the inspiration for the Ingersoll lock was conceived .
Two main features made this lock unique at the time . Firstly and although a cylinder lock it incorporated 10 levers arrange in two rows of five . This gave it the potential of a million differs on standard locks and by utilising the second row with completely different parameters ( lifts ) for master keying the mechanism remained highly secure from cross overs . The second feature was in part due to the novel aspect of the mechanics it was possible to
A page from an early Ingersoll catalogue illustrating just one version of wartime payload release locks , the same catalogue also featured the new 10 lever locks .
On the left the Ingersoll SC71 rim case and inspiration for the mortice series followed by a series of prototypes . The first prototype was conceived by Timothy Fin at which stage collaboration with Andrew Taylor ( son of Jack Taylor ) brought the lock to a high standard achieving EN12209 and BS8621 . The final product is a very heavy duty mortice lockcase This lock is going to become as iconic as its predecessor and I ’ m sure become part of the heritage of British locksmiths ; so that night during the second world war when Jack Taylor , taking refuge in an Anderson shelter , designed the original lock , it continues to inspire modern day locksmiths such is the uniqueness of the idea and practicality of the application continues to solve top level security problems today .
register the keys to individual customers . The charts for the mastering aspect were very clever , ensuring that suites didn ’ t overlap or compromise each other ; and all this worked out from a uniquely cleaver mind , don ’ t forget this was well before computers .
The idea of key registration was as previously stated a unique feature and dearly loved by users , sadly over
Packaging at the time of the Festival of Britain . Note the early style cylinder and the festival logo . It took around 2 years to fill the orders generated at the event such was the success of the lock and concept . the years with patent expiry and with several ownership changes , integrity was slowly dissolved – but that takes nothing away from the mechanical dexterity of the lock ; in fact a lock-case very reminiscent of the SC71 and those ‘ hay days ’ has just been launched : the FinBolt . It ’ s to the current security standard , which if used with a CDU ( cylinder drive unit – a euro cylinder ) of the same standard , conform to insurance requirements . And so the mechanical genius of Jack Taylor continues from generation to generation .
So it seems that a locksmiths mind , the way he thinks , the way he approaches his challenges can and does benefit everybody especially in the hour of national need – he is also ever mindful of ‘ The Locksmiths Creed ’:
A very nice plaque depicting ‘ The Locksmiths Creed ”, was recently refurnished and is now hanging at MLA HQ Rugby originally donated by B Hatt FMLA in 1965 .
The FinBolt , a heavy duty mortice lockcase functioning in much the same way as the iconic Ingersoll SC71 Rim deadlatch . On closing the door the bolt automatically throws a full 20mm and deadlocks .
A Locksmith always remembers his public trust .
With him rests the security of property and fortune .
As a public guardian he shuns the dishonest , the wicked and the avaricious .
For thousands of years , he and his predecessors have placed trust and honour above temptation .
He is an artist at his trade and the symbol of skill and integrity to the world .
Brian Morland , curator of the MLA Heritage Room , HoL Archive and the HoL 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
Security Consultants and Locksmiths that want further details about Finfort Ltd . and FinBolt please see display advert on page 35 or visit finfort . co . uk
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