Antique Chinese Combination Lock

[Schuyler]

yo Yo YO

So, bought this on ebay for $1, ($10 shipped from china) and thought you all might enjoy a look. I very much enjoy having this lock in my collection.



The lock assembled. I got a typed letter from the seller in a very charming English. I'd repeat it here, but I'm worried that people will take it for hilarity rather than charm. Anyhow, he typed out the combination, but, I couldn't even look at the typed characters and the carved ones and match anything up. I was clueless.



It has these beautiful lions on either side of the combo mechanism. Here you can also see the teeth very clearly. I wonder how old this item might be, but even if it's fairly new I enjoy that it's hand made. It also has a very nice patina to the metal, so I'm guessing it's fairly old.



Very simple gates, with a very wide tolerance, as you can see. This was actually the same way my first ever bike lock was constructed. I had forgotten about it until I opened this up. So, no changing the combination on this baby.




Just a couple of shots of the two pieces together.

Enjoy!

[Schuyler]

Also, the length is a little less than a 5 pin key. Don't have a ruler nearby.

[unbreakable]

Although I wouldn't be using that to lock up anything, it is a beautiful lock

I can't wait till I have a job, and some more money, so I can start buying things like this.

Did you just feel it open if you didn't know the combo?

Anyways, nice find!

[n2oah]

I only looked at the title, and I can tell you it's a fake without out a doubt.

[UWSDWF]

I have worked in antiques for many years and that is a fake... if you want more details on how i know just ask... but for the price to have a cool lock that is an antique reproduction i say it's worth it

[TOWCH]

It's a good conversation piece in any case. You could lock up a liquor cabinet or something similar with it.

[Schuyler]

yeah, for 10 bucks shipped from china, I would be ... shocked, to say the least, if it were real.

To his credit, his ad did NOT call it an antique

[Legion303]

Can you take a picture of the typed characters for me? I recognize "origin" and "spring" in the top row but most of the characters are indecipherable even with a dictionary. I can try to help you match up the typed characters to the ones on the lock...I suspect the right combo makes some sort of poem, or at least a sentence.

-steve

[Schuyler]

cool, can do. The paper is at work, but I'll do a picture when I get there.

[Kaotik]

Very nice find. Even if it's a reproduction it's still intrigueing. (<-SP?)

[JackNco]

Y a its a fake there were loads on ebay.co.uk a while ago. interesting little things though. wouldn't mind having play with one at some point.

John

[Legion303]

Hey Schuyler, where are those pictures? :P

-steve