From The Lock Museum's Newsletter, Issue no.44
Summer 1999
Lock Gift for America!
A restored and presentation-mounted Hodson Bar Padlock
was sent to the Lock Museum of America in Terryville, Connecticut.
The gift from the Lock Museum, Willenhall was delivered by member of
the Friends Association, Richard Hopkins who was planning a trip to
the USA. Our museum manager, John Whistance, thought that this was
too good an opportunity to miss for linking together the two
Museums.
The lock can be described as an old-style double dead lock with the
two bolts supported by a central bridge ward. The key lifts the
dead-bolt against the back spring for it to engage in the slot in
the hasp. The key has to pass the central bridge ward for each dead
bolt to engage in the hasp for the full security of the bar padlock.
The restoration work was carried out by Andy Middlebrook of AM
Experimental. The lock was mounted for display on a piece of Rio
Rosewood (as this reflects the use of the bar padlock when exported
for the South American cattle trade). Mounted on this piece of wood
with the lock is an engraved brass plaque which reads:
3" IRON BAR PADLOCK
Presented to THE LOCK MUSEUM OF AMERICA by THE LOCK MUSEUM,
WILLENHALL, STAFFORDSHIRE, August 1999. The lock was made by
RICHARD HODSON & SON's manufacturers of padlocks, park gate
locks, alcove, Lighter padlocks and bar padlocks. Established in
Willenhall in 1792. There is evidence for believing this style
of lock was brougt to Britain by the Romans, c300 A.D. The
Hodson family exported the locks to countries in the British
Empire and South America. Today, this style of lock, and
variations upon it, can be found in use on buildings throughout
the world, including THE BLUE MOSQUE, Istanbul, a transept door
in the DUOMO, Pisa and the CHURCH OF NATIVITY, Bethlehem. The
unregistered trademark on the escutcheon resembles John
Blenkinsop's "Rack Locomotive," patented in 1812. The mark was
used by Hodson's, c1850.
The lock was received by Tom Hennesy, curator of the Lock Museum
of America. With the lock, were sent some copies of the original
paper-work that was in the Museum's archive collection, detailing
customers, suppliers and all business that was concerned with the
production of this type of lock. We also sent original copies of
note paper used by Richard Hodson & Son and a set of three of the
Museum's post cards. It was almost like Christmas in the office,
sorting out a suitable box in which to put all of the presentation
items. The box was wrapped in specially-produced lock-printed paper.
The package was sent by post to Richard, who then delivered it
personally.
For those of you not familiar with the Hodson Bar Padlock, one can
bee seen on display on the barrier in the downstairs workshop at the
Museum. |
