Does anyone know of a good book on Carpenter door Locks that would help date
these things. Online sources seem to disagree on whether they were imported
to U.S. prior to a supposed patent date of 1830. ( I am looking for
something other than the brief section in Ivor Noel Hume's Artifact Guide).
I've seen information on how to use marks on the "keeper," the part that is
mounted on the door frame, but am curious whether we can use the style of
the round brass plate on the main part of the lock to establish a date.
Any help would be much appreciated. (and if someone out there is an expert
on these locks, and can help me, I could send them a digital picture of the
artifacts in question)
Thank you for your time.
Linda Derry
Site Director
Old Cahawba
719 Tremont St.
Selma, AL 36701
ph. 334/875-2529
fax. 334/877-4253
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