Padlock made by Slaymaker Lock Company for Conestoga Traction Company. Brass with key, attached by a chain. Ring and screw attaching chain to lock and key are steel or aluminum and probably replaced. Rivet construction. "Slaymaker Lancaster PA" is stamped in hasp. Spring hinge cover of keyhole. On reverse, raised portion that mimicks keyhole cover is stamped "C.T.Co."
overall oxidation that darkens the brass -- greenish cast in a few places. dents along edges of lock and on keyhole cover. bolt and keyring attaching chain to lock and key is likely a replacement.
Disc-shaped "pancake" padlock, all bronze with a spring sliding shackle. Reverse is undecorated; obverse has lock name "ECLIPSE / 4LEVER" set in relief against a punched or stippled ground. (tumblers are 4 levers) Machined chamfers on edges of body. Slotted keyhole bottom edge. Rolled steel key missing.
An "18" is stamped onto corner of obverse side of shackle. This lock is pictured in the 1900 catalog of the Slaymaker-Barry Co. as either #432 or #71. See Notes
Soil and tarnish overall with expected abrasions and dents on shackle and back.
Object ID
2002.143.4
Notes
This lock with almost identical design and features (including the "4LEVER" name with same lettering design) was made by at least three other companies. Often only the name above the 4LEVER design was different.
The Slaymaker Lock Co. of Lancaster, PA was known successively as S.R. Slaymaker, Slaymaker-Barry Co., Slaymaker Lock Co., Fraim-Slaymaker Hardware Co. and Slaymaker Lock Co., Inc. opening in 1888 and producing high quality padlocks. They went out-of-business in 1986 after nearly a century of service.
The Slaymaker-Barry Co. was reputed to be the largest lock factory in the world and was established at South Connellsville in the 1890s and operated steadily and successfully until the fall of 1898 when it was almost completely destroyed by fire.
Place of Origin
Connellsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Bicycle lock; Super Slaymaker Minute Man Combination Padlock; long shackle attached to U-Shaped outer case; combination dial on front of case; "SLAYMAKER" on center of dial; "Slaymaker MADE IN / U.S.A." on back of case;
Note: Accompanying tag includes lock and combination information.
