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Very Unusual BEST Padlock

Need help fixing or installing a lock? We welcome questions from the public here! Sorry, no automotive questions, please.
Forum rules
WE DO NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE OR MOTORCYCLE LOCKS OR IGNITIONS ON THIS FORUM. THIS INCLUDES QUESTIONS ABOUT PICKING, PROGRAMMING, OR TAKING APART DOOR OR IGNITION LOCKS,

Very Unusual BEST Padlock

Postby GWiens2001 » 13 Nov 2025 19:23

Recently acquired from an online auction site a new (to me) toy. It is a BEST padlock that was innocuously listed as "Vintage Metal Padlock with Modified Key Mechanism".

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Nope. It ain't that one. The one I just got is just a tad larger...

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Shackle really is a bit thicker than standard. If you wanted to use it, you might want to check your hasp or chain and see if it is large enough. Yes... the shackle is 19mm / 3/4" thick.

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Only have one key, but it works.

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I have consulted with a member here (who is very welcome to self-identify if he wishes) whom I consider to be a person who is very well versed in the BEST product line, and he states that he has never seen one like this before. (That about floored me).

He suspects that, based on the core markings (there are none on the body of the padlock), that it is from the late 1930's to late 1940's, and may be a very early version of the model 27B padlock, but is unable to verify for certain.

Here is a close-up of the core so you can see the markings:

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If you know more about this padlock, please feel free to let us know!

Hope you like it!

Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
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GWiens2001
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Re: Very Unusual BEST Padlock

Postby Raymond » 13 Nov 2025 20:09

Looks like a vintage original. Congratulations on a great find.
Nothing is foolproof to a talented fool. Wisdom is not just in determining how to do something, but also includes determining whether it should be done at all.
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