Old padlock with eagle design on cover

I just got around to cleaning an old padlock that a found a couple of weeks ago. I tried a vinegar soak first without much luck, then electrolysis which worked much better.

Does anyone know old padlocks? 1800s era? Was this made by Eagle based on the eagle on cover? Never dug a lock before, so I'm on a steep learning curve lol.

Now that's I've cleaned up it some, how should I finish it? Wax?

Thanks for any info!


After electrolysis:

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...47&oe=5A8FBB93

Before photo:

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...c8&oe=5A89835B

The eagle was used by many manufacturers so it will be hard to ID which one made your lock. I am guessing that it would date from the 1850s to the mid 1900s.

Looks like a nice old "smoke house" pad lock. I've zapped a couple of crusty locks. For that type of iron object, once it comes out of the electrolysis unit, it gets a scrub with baking soda to remove the black oxide, then a thorough rinse, then a soak in acetone for 30 seconds (to drive off any remaining H2O) then it immediately gets doused in WD40. Let that soak into all the nooks and crannies. I'll give it another bath in WD40 a couple of days later and that's it.

From my understanding there were various American manufacturers who used a stamped eagle design at one time or another , some used it as a brand logo while others used it to distinguish it as an American lock maker ( as opposed to British or other) , many of the eagle motifs are of different styles and positions .I listed two examples to give you an idea of what I'm talking about , the first is a "Wood" made lock while the second is made by D & M . With this all said its safe to say your lock is 19th century and perhaps any where from the 1830's to about 1870's in age .

Dan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fyrffytr1

The eagle was used by many manufacturers so it will be hard to ID which one made your lock. I am guessing that it would date from the 1850s to the mid 1900s.

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Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lodge Scent

Looks like a nice old "smoke house" pad lock. I've zapped a couple of crusty locks. For that type of iron object, once it comes out of the electrolysis unit, it gets a scrub with baking soda to remove the black oxide, then a thorough rinse, then a soak in acetone for 30 seconds (to drive off any remaining H2O) then it immediately gets doused in WD40. Let that soak into all the nooks and crannies. I'll give it another bath in WD40 a couple of days later and that's it.

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Thanks for the preservation tip!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by del

From my understanding there were various American manufacturers who used a stamped eagle design at one time or another , some used it as a brand logo while others used it to distinguish it as an American lock maker ( as opposed to British or other) , many of the eagle motifs are of different styles and positions .I listed two examples to give you an idea of what I'm talking about , the first is a "Wood" made lock while the second is made by D & M . With this all said its safe to say your lock is 19th century and perhaps any where from the 1830's to about 1870's in age .


Dan

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Thank you Dan!