Locks by S. Mordan & Co. - Bramah-like?

[Engineer]

While looking for something else, I came across this medical supplies book from 1831 with a lock for sale by S. Mordan & Co. that looks very like Bramah type locks?

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=y4IBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA234&dq=locks+OR+keys+OR+locksmithing+OR+locksmiths&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=100&as_brr=1&as_pt=ALLTYPES#PPA234,M1

The locks are featured on page 234.

I wondered if anyone knew anything about them at all, as they are completely new to me and seem to also be similar to modern tubular locks?

[Slick Pick]

Looks like you hit the nail on the head with the “like Bramah type locks” statement. Check out this link
http://www.wheathills.com/pages/silvers ... rks_2.aspx
They sure sound like they have the workings of a modern day tubular lock by the key design and description.

[aussielocky]

Very like bramah, almost identical in fact

The most common difference being that the mordan locks of the period had odd numbers of sliders, 5, 7, 9 etc where bramah used 4, 6, 8 etc.

[Engineer]

I found out Mordan was actually trained by Bramah as well (from Slick Pick's link) - This seems very close to the limits of the law doesn't it?

Aussielocky, that is fascinating that the main difference is such a minor thing. I can't help thinking this must have caused a gread deal of bad feeling between them when he struck out on his own and started making and selling something so similar to such an unusual design. Everyone must have known it was just a "me too" product, perhaps that is why Bramah is so well known and untiil yesterday I had not heard of Mordan locks?

Does anyone know of any in a museum or display? Or were there so few made that there may be very few left now?

[aussielocky]

The locks were more a sideline for Mordan, he was much better known for propelling pencils and pens etc.

With regard to the law, the design was out of patent and a number of makers copied the design so I doubt Bramahs took it personally.

[greyman]

Interesting link. Thanks By 1831 the Bramah lock had been around for about 45 years. Patents last for less than 20 years. Like every great product, many people make copies of it.