Smokehouse padlocks

[1d4]

Scandinavian padlocks, also called 'Smokehouse' padlocks, "have been popular since the early 1800's as jail locks and on strong boxes, chuck wagons, stores, farms, etc." -The Padlock Collector, Franklin M Arnall



Included a #3 in there for scale. These things are massive - and larger ones exist.



Several different manufacturers made these kinds of locks, but they are often found without markings, making identification difficult. Note the Star around the keyhole on these.



One has a removable shackle, the other does not.

The overall size, simplicity, and feel of these locks remind me a lot of the S&G Environmental, though their mechanism is quite different. These locks are interesting in that the key has a much more direct relationship with the shackle than most other padlocks - the key rotates massive disks that sit in the slots of the shackle.

[Squelchtone]

I've heard of these called "Scandi's" as in Scandinavian, but not as Smokehouse, very interesting, thanks!

[petemoss]

Cool looking locks. Thanks for sharing. I imagine those would be very useful when you need to secure ocean liner to the dock.

[stratmando]

Bought one on eBay about a year ago, looks like one on
the right. No Markings, No Key, No opening yet.
Looks like a Giant Disc Detainer. Looks like you can Vary Shackle length, Shimming doesn't appear possible, unless rotated around possibly?

[GWiens2001]

Bought one on eBay about a year ago, looks like one on
the right. No Markings, No Key, No opening yet.
Looks like a Giant Disc Detainer. Looks like you can Vary Shackle length, Shimming doesn't appear possible, unless rotated around possibly?

Shimming is possible (sometimes) on the inner side of the shackle. Either side would work. Use a T shaped tool to turn the discs, starting at the innermost disc and rotate it until the shim goes in.

On your Star padlock, below the bottom of the star there are a series of dots. That is the bitting code.

One dot (⋅) corresponds to no cut (0°)
Two dots (∶) corresponds to a "full cut" (about 80°)
Three dots (⋮) corresponds to a "half-cut" (about 60°)

The reason for the “about” is that they were mostly hand made, and they were therefore approximate angles. There is also a bit of leeway.

There are wards between each disc. Here is a thread where I made a key for one of these locks

Gordon

[1d4]

Bought one on eBay about a year ago, looks like one on
the right. No Markings, No Key, No opening yet.
Looks like a Giant Disc Detainer. Looks like you can Vary Shackle length, Shimming doesn't appear possible, unless rotated around possibly?

Shimming is possible (sometimes) on the inner side of the shackle. Either side would work. Use a T shaped tool to turn the discs, starting at the innermost disc and rotate it until the shim goes in.

On your Star padlock, below the bottom of the star there are a series of dots. That is the bitting code.

One dot (⋅) corresponds to no cut (0°)
Two dots (∶) corresponds to a "full cut" (about 80°)
Three dots (⋮) corresponds to a "half-cut" (about 60°)

The reason for the “about” is that they were mostly hand made, and they were therefore approximate angles. There is also a bit of leeway.

There are wards between each disc. Here is a thread where I made a key for one of these locks

Gordon

Wow, you're right! Those dots do correspond to the 5 active angles on the key. Super cool. Thanks for that tidbit.