Limber Chest Locks

[Arkaos]

I would like to start locking our limber chest so I do not always have to post a guard on the limber. I would like it to at least have something look somewhat authentic but I do not think I am going to find anything like that. What are people using out there?

Thanks,

Steve

[BrandonEnglish]

Steve,

When I worked at Pamplin Park we had period locks to lock up the limber and the gun. The locks we used required a key to get into and the big steel one we used certainly would take some doing to get into. It was no masterlock but nothing easy to break into. I did an internet search, and the Steel Railroad Padlocks are what we used.

http://www.deabath.com/Keys/Padlocks/padlocks.htm

Hope this helps.

[Arkaos]

Brandon,

That looks like a nice heavy duty lock.

Thanks!

Steve

[BrandonEnglish]

No problem! Some advice though, we had some smaller locks, like that around the park and once they got rusted (very rusted) after being constantly left out they could be pulled open with a forceful tug. So like your powder keep 'em dry.

[cannoneer]

We use a brass version of the railroad lock in your link. I will get the makers name.

[lukegilly13]

Steve,
I have an original steel railroad lock that I purchased at an antique store that I use all the time. I only use it to lock up my hardtack cracker box where I store my powder and rounds but it is very functionable. I think the shear mass of them are enough to discourage the casual theif. They seem to be pretty common around here in antique stores.

[Arkaos]

I have heard tale of a odd looking lock that was just for limber chest and I think I saw one once on some website and I was wondering it that was just bunk or was there really a limber chest lock.

And thanks for all the help.

Steve

[Mbond057]

Steve,

Try EBay.
They have plenty of antique Locks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HUGE-AWESOME-5-X3-ANTIQUE-LOCK-KEYS_W0QQitemZ380029249003QQihZ025QQcategoryZ20087 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You can see the lock I use on my Prairie Limber Box

[Dutchman Dick]

Where can you get keys for those old locks? I also have an old railroad lock in excellent condition but with no key, and it has a brass pin in the middle of the keyway indicating that the key had a hollow barrel. To open it, I pick it with a jeweller's screwdriver...

[Danny]

I would like to start locking our limber chest so I do not always have to post a guard on the limber. I would like it to at least have something look somewhat authentic but I do not think I am going to find anything like that. What are people using out there? Thanks, Steve

We no longer use our period-style locks because we were 'discovered' by the Feds (ATF) in a site inpection of our powder storage bunker (on a private farmette). We were asked how we secure our powder at an event and the subject was opened. The ATF rep assigned us a stiffer requirement to secure our powder at a public event. So now we need modern, case-hardened locks when the limber box isn't guarded or empty of powder. When empty, as for a living history, we can still use the period-style brass lockage.

So frankly, you might not want to explore this too far...

Dan Wykes
Batt G, 2nd Ill.

[SavageReb]

Steve,
There is a place here, Hamilton Dry Goods, that has a period lock that we use. It looks good and very sturdy. Here is the linkhttp://www.hamiltondrygoods.com/lock.html
I hope this helps,

Joey Savage
Tennessee

[Arkaos]

Joey,

That looks like the ones we got and they do the job for us.

Thanks,

Steve