A weird lock and who knows their buttons

Wom 27 · Oct 25, 2020

The lock has no lettering and no numbers. Kinda makes it hard to investigate.
The button has a horstmann Phila backmark. There are so many pictures that are soooooo close. Thing is , I know someone here knows their buttons. Someone’s been there before so why not just ask? Would be a whole lot easier than me with a magnifying glass :laughing:

EmuDetector · Oct 25, 2020

General Staff/Service used 1800s up to about 1902. With all the different makers, the styles vary slightly. I have several from the same CW site and they all have minor differences.

Check out this link
https://inkspotantiques.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=1

AirmetTango · Oct 25, 2020

EmuDetector said:
General Staff/Service used 1800s up to about 1902. With all the different makers, the styles vary slightly. I have several from the same CW site and they all have minor differences.

Check out this link
https://inkspotantiques.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=1

Definitely a pre-1903 General Staff officer button. The site that Emu provided also has a page that lists a date range between 1893-1935 for Horstmann's use of that backmark :

https://inkspotantiques.com/?main_page=page&id=10

If accurate, that places a pretty narrow date range of between 1893-1902 for your button. Nice find!!

k2gleaner · Oct 25, 2020

I have the same - or very similar - lock on my boat trailer. The odd shape keeps it tight to the tongue with little room for bolt cutters.

k2gleaner

Wom 27 · Oct 25, 2020

k2gleaner said:
I have the same - or very similar - lock on my boat trailer. The odd shape keeps it tight to the tongue with little room for bolt cutters.

k2gleaner

Thanks! Now if I ever buy a boat.......

Wom 27 · Oct 25, 2020

EmuDetector said:
General Staff/Service used 1800s up to about 1902. With all the different makers, the styles vary slightly. I have several from the same CW site and they all have minor differences.

Check out this link
https://inkspotantiques.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=1

I knew someone knew..

Wom 27 · Oct 25, 2020

AirmetTango said:
Definitely a pre-1903 General Staff officer button. The site that Emu provided also has a page that lists a date range between 1893-1935 for Horstmann's use of that backmark :

https://inkspotantiques.com/?main_page=page&id=10

If accurate, that places a pretty narrow date range of between 1893-1902 for your button. Nice find!!

You guys are smart ! Thanks

Skwerly · Oct 26, 2020

yeah locks like that were found on storage units too until the advent of the round units that make it nearly impossible for bolt cutters. need a grinder and have to know exactly where to cut.

Big Boys Hobbies · Oct 26, 2020

Love the buttons but that lock is super cool!

A weird lock and who knows their buttons

Wom 27

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