Antique Lock Literature

Project Description

Different interpretations/definitions abound for what is considered an antique. For the purposes of this tool we will set the limit at 50 years or older. Below is a list of files, such as brochures and catalogs, related to lock hardware that meet this criteria. For antique literature related to padlocks, check out Antique-Padlock.com’s download page.
Note: Some of the files linked below are larger than 500 MB in size. Please keep that in mind before downloading.

A.C Hobbs

• The Construction of Locks and Safes (1868)

Briggs & Stratton

• Automotive Lock & Key Parts Catalog (1940-1952)

Caverhill, Learmont & Co.

• Hardware and Metal Catalog (1901)

Detroit Hardware Manufacturing Co.

• Fine Builders Hardware (1950)

Diebold Safe & Lock Co.

• Triumph Line, Fire-Resistive Vault Door Catalog (1933)

Eagle Lock Co.

• Illustrated Catalog and Price List (Early 1900s)

The Graham Manufacturing Co.

• Catalog of Keys and Hardware Specialties (1928)

H.B. Ives Co.

• Catalog No. 15 (1926)

Henry R. Towne

• Locks and Builders Hardware A Hand Book for Architects (1904)

Independent Locksmith Co. (ILCO)

• Catalog No. 21 (1972)

J. Chesler & Sons Co.

• Catalog No. 20 (1937)

Lawrence Brothers Inc.

• Catalog No. 20 (Early 1900s)

Linus Yale Jr.

• A Dissertation on Locks and Lockpicking and the Principles of Burglar Proofing (1856)

Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Co.

• Catalog (1894)
• Catalog (1914)
• Catalog No. 20 (1932)

Oscar C. Rixson Co.

• Builders’ Hardware Catalog (1940)

P & F Corbin Co.

• Catalog (1871)
• Catalog (1876)
• Catalog (1881)
• Catalog (1885)
• Catalog (1895)
• Catalog (1896)
• Catalog (1890)
• Catalog (1892)
• Catalog (1905)
• Catalog (1911)
• Catalog No. 26 (1923)
• Catalog No. 27 (1927)
• Catalog No. 27 (1932)
• Catalog No. 28 M (1941)
• Catalog No. K553 (1931)
• History of The House of P & F Corbin (1904)
• Store Door Handle and Locks Catalog (1897)

Penn Hardware Co.

• Catalog No. 27 (1927)

Peterboro Hardware Co.

• Catalog No. 10 (1951)

McKinney Manufacturing Co.

• Forged Iron Hardware Catalog (1920)
• Forged Iron Hardware Catalog (1926)
• Forged Iron Hardware Catalog (1954)

Mosler Safe Co.

• Day and Night Deposit Safes Catalog (1952)
• Mosler 7 Inch Vault Door Catalog (1951)
• Mosler Messenger (September, 1922)

Reading Hardware Co.

• Illustrated Catalog and Price List of the Reading Hardware Works (1870)
• Illustrated Catalog of Hardware (1885)
• Illustrated Catalog of Fine Locks and Builders’ Hardware (1899)

Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Co.

• Builders Hardware (1897)
• Hardware Specialties Catalog (1938)
• Catalog 10 (1909)
• Catalog 15 (1926)

Sargent & Co.

• Locks and Hardware Catalog (1926)

Sargent & Greenleaf Co.

• Key Locks & Door Bolts (Early 1900s)

Vonnegut Hardware Co.

• Von Duprin Catalog (1949)

Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co.

• Builders’ Locks and Hardware, Door Closers – (1939)
• Catalog 14 (1893)
• Catalog 24 (1917)
• Catalog 25 (1921)
• Catalog 26 (1929)
• Catalog 29 (1939)
• Combination Locks and Key Locks for Fireproof Vaults, Safes, Steel Chests, etc. (1939)
• History of the Trade-Mark Yale (1914)
• Price List to Padlock Catalog (1908)