MLA EXPO PREVIEW
Presentation keys are generally symbolic : silver for the start of a project or birth of a child and gold for achievement or retirement . They are also very useful to researchers since they contain names dates and places – this hallmarked one records the completion of a housing project in the 1960s .
Hobbs factory fretted padlock incorporating both protector patents and also featuring a screwed cap .
Chubb ’ s New Patent padlock , Customs & Excise version , with a vision panel cut into the cap .
A Showcase version , in brass , of the Arthur Linley railway padlock ; the feature being it could not be hung on its staple unless locked .
Milner ’ s showcase version of Whittingham ’ s dual control lock . Interestingly it was also capable of working with a single key which was effectively both of the single bit keys in one double bitted key .
A French official seal padlock used in much the same way as the Customs & Excise authorities in the UK sealing bonded warehouses and the like .
Safe Plates or badges are a class of their own . This one depicting the maker ’ s fire resisting qualities . Not sure about the reason the fish have been added ; perhaps like Chubb in the UK Herring , capitalizing on his name , also adopted a fish drawing on the ancient folklore that since fiswh sleep with their eyes open they are always on guard . circulate various MLA / HoL venues for study , research and enlightenment are most welcome in that most locksmiths won ’ t have seen many of these versions .
Next comes the family of Trevor Dowson , a collector / researcher that I have known for many years sadly passed during the lockdown ; his family though has donated his collection of locks and his meticulously organised files of paperwork . Trevor attended every EXPO that I can remember and his gentle demeanor together with his immense historical knowledge will be missed and I personally will miss our chats ; he will of course live on through his artefacts and paperwork all being added to the archive and
An unusual Manifoil prototype . It ’ s very light made with a body and wheels of aluminum ; it also features a S & G style re-locker . So far the purpose or motivation hasn ’ t been learnt .
to be made available to members for study and research . A selection of his papers and locks will be available to see at the show .
And finally Mike Fincher , who many readers will know , gave help and advice to MLA members back in the 1980s has now gone into long term care . However his collection of locks and associated paperwork is now part of the HoL museum . Mike specialised in German Locks and
Fichet ’ s unique pump action cylinders in a factory cutaway model ; just one of many unusual cylinder drive units ( CDU ’ s ) recived with the Callard Collection .
The padlock made for the South American railways in the late 19th century by Milner survives to the mid 20th century now made by Chatwood-Milner . This version still features a shackle that ’ s impossible to hang on a staple in the unlocked position but now only one half of the shackle swings away when unlocked .
This lock by Herring , incorporating Dexter ’ s paten was the first to utilize a split cam in the 1870 ’ s . 75 years later the split cam was adopted in the government Manifoil locks as one of the features during the ‘ cold war ’.
patent locks . Mike had an
Hobbs produced several locks for the Bank of England ; this version would automatically lock on closing the door and throwing the bolts , the key was only required in the unlocking process .
eidetic memory and would recount lock stories with the same enthusiasm and passion to whoever asked for information .
The archive is rich in names , workers , customers , shareholders etc . etc . is also useful for those compiling or researching their family tree or studying a particular company whether connected with the lock trade or otherwise ; everybody needs locks and keys whatever trade or organisation as well as the general public ; many documents record purchasers as well . Product sales and technical information though is a boon for working locksmith ’ s normal working activities . A selection of archive material will be at the show for you to see the scope of what ’ s available as digitisation progresses .
Brian Morland , curator of the MLA Heritage Room , your comments and can be contacted at : curator @ emorlands . com
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