1850 American Padlock Day Newell Day Civil War Lock Taken From Magazine at Fort Donelson Tennessee 1862 Start Price USD 4,000.00 Current Price USD 4,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, November 19, 2008 End Time Wednesday, November 26, 2008 Location Cedar Rapids, IA See more about '1850 American Padlock Day Newell Day Civil War Lock ' Description  It is with deep regret and reluctance that I offer this for auction. This lock is the focal point of my collection, and likely one of the rarest early american padlocks you will ever see. I have a starting bid slightly higher than the last auction price an identical lock sold for this year. This is the minimum I will accept, and the lock will not be offered for sale again. I know I will not be able to replace this lock in my lifetime should it sell hence the price. For your consideration I submit this extremely rare early American high security padlock made by an early bank lock maker Day Newell & Day. This maker was known mostly for their bank locks however they did make a few padlocks which are extremely rare today. This lock is circa 1845 - 1850. It features an unusual pick proof mechanism which was high security at the time, and infact would still be extremely difficult or impossible to pick today.  Also unique to this lock is it's odd shape referred to as Avant Garde. There is an article on these type of locks in the April - June 2008 The Antique Lock Collector. You can find some information on Day Newell Day in the book American Genius by David and John Erroll. The book is about nineteenth-century bank and time locks.  I purchased this in a group of items at a early militaria auction some time ago and it came with a very old hand written tag that say's "Lock on magazine, Fort Donelson Tenn, Feb.,17th 1862, taken off by Company C (or G?) 2nd U.S. Cavalry, 1rst Seargent C. Prozellen, owned by Lt. Prozellen this city, weight 16" The backside has a different weight for the lock and key which says 10 oz. The lock actually weighs 1 pound 1 5/8 ounces so Iassume the 16 ounce weight was taken with an inaccurate scale and cannot explain the 10 ounce weight on the backside unless the card was used for several locks or was just reused? The hand writing is very hard to read so I apologize for any mis-spelling on my part.  The lock is solid brass, and measures 4 1/8 inches long, 3 inches across, and 3/4 inch thick not including the 1/8 inch thick key cover. It is unmarked which seems to be unusual, the other two I have seen were stamped DAY NEWELL & DAY above the key cover. As I mentioned earlier the lock weighs 1 pound 1 5/8 ounces. When I received the lock it was in extremely poor condition, and I sent it to an excellent master locksmith who restored it for me. All of you collectors out there who have attended the Indy or Cleveland lock show will know who he is and agree he does excellent work. The lock now looks great and works perfectly. I will be happy to answer questions, and email pictures upon request.  I will offer free registered mail shipping in the USA to include insurance. Take a look at my other auctions for more rare padlocks. Thank you for looking. Place a Bid!