Question about Miller Lock Company

by **greyman** » 19 Dec 2005 12:36

I'm interested in the history of the Miller lock comany, makers of the pancake 6 lever padlock. Does anyone have any good refs on their early history? Specifically I'd like to know when they were founded and in what town.

I'm also interested in how easy/hard it is to pick the 6 lever push-key mechanism. Any tips appreciated.

Thanks in advance

by **Omikron** » 19 Dec 2005 14:54

Using my GOOGLE-FU I found some very limited references to the Miller Lock Company.

Of interest seem to be two posts made on the Clearstar forums, which have since been removed. Fortunately, the Google caches of both the ORIGINAL and the REPLY.

The reply was posted by a gentleman who says their father worked for the company back in the 20's. You may try emailing him at upuhrs5437ATaolDOTcom with some of your questions and see what kind of response you recieve.

The reply reads as follows:

Code: Select all: My father was a Locksmith for Miller lock back in the 1920's. His job was to assemble the padlocks. Miller has been OOB for many a year. The padlocks were mainly steel useing flat steel keys. Good conversation piece. I've still got a few left. Newnsie

by **Omikron** » 19 Dec 2005 14:55

Also, most sources seem to point in the direction of Philidelphia, PA, USA as the origination point. If you're REALLY curious, I'm sure you could look up some of the local records in the area and find out some more info.

by **Omikron** » 19 Dec 2005 14:58

You can find out more info on the people the architects that designed the company's factory, HERE.

by **Omikron** » 19 Dec 2005 15:01

Apparently there's also a BOOK, although Amazon.com seems to be unable to locate any copies. Perhaps your local library?

by **illusion** » 19 Dec 2005 15:03

well done Omi..

great stuff you managed to find

by **digital_blue** » 19 Dec 2005 15:04

Holy "Google Answers". How much you charge for your researching Omi?

db

by **Omikron** » 19 Dec 2005 15:06

digital_blue wrote:Holy "Google Answers". How much you charge for your researching Omi?

db

For LP101 comrades? Just a mortise cylinder or two.. :wink:

by **greyman** » 20 Dec 2005 6:22

Thanks for the information everyone. The architectural record shows that in 1907 the Miller lock Co. was setting up a new factory in Philadelphia. As far as I know the actual 6-lever push-key lock was patented around 1870, so it's possible that the Miller lock Co. was based somewhere else in the early days.

If anyone has a copy of Charles Cameron's book "History of the D.K. Miller Lock Co. padlocks", I'd consider buying it.

by **MOSSY** » 7 Mar 2011 2:22

It turns out that I'm married to one of the great grand daughters of the man who invented the Miller Lock.

According to my wife, his name was Daniel K. Miller, who invented America's first lock of this type when he was living in Philadelphia, PA.

He eventually sold his patents and lock company to the Yale Lock Co. Daniel K. Miller was born in 1844, and died in 1918.

PS - Hope this helps some, and I hope you found more on the history of the Miller Lock Co.!

Rick