Old Lock
This large lock, measuring 180 x 230 x 30 mm, was discovered during foundation excavations in Cape Town. I bought it from an antique shop in Plumstead, still covered in mud and rust.
I first removed the worst grime with soap and water and then started taking the lock apart. It took some doing to remove the severely rusted backplate without too much damage. Acid was necessary to remove the rust from the working parts, and after thorough cleaning I found to my surprise that I only had to replace 3 brass screws to get the lock in working condition again. Of course I had to make a key too. It was a challenge to me to get the lock working again without removing the patina of the ages.
My guess is that the lock could be about 150 years old, because its framework and mechanism is very similar to the oldest Carpenter locks. The Carpenter company started manufacturing locks in 1830.
I display the lock in my studio as an interesting relic of a bygone age. How many of today’s locks will last that long, and still work after decades buried in the ground?
