A Gazetteer of Lock and Key Makers

Jim Evans

this gazetteer is copyright Jim Evans, 2002

Manufacturer of rim, mortice, till and cupboard locks.  Existing in 1953.  Not existing in 1900 or 1970.  Nothing else known.

ALBERT DAVENPORT AND SONS,  7 CROSS STREET,  WEDNESFIELD.

Key Maker.  In 1921 William Davenport was at 7 Cross Street.  In 1936 Albert Davenport was at 7 Cross Street.  Existing in 1953 but not in 1970.  Nothing else known.

Founded as key makers. In 1921 Henry Davenport was at 60 Wolverhampton Road, Wednesfield.

After the 1939-45 war the company was run by Stan Davenport.  As the cast key went into decline they made an attempt to produce welded steel keys.  But that did not last for long and in about 1960 they went into lock making with Jack Appleton.  But again this did not last for long.  They expanded the business to become general factors in locks, door furniture and keys.  In the 1960s they specialised in the supply of cut car keys to garages. (Still HD in 1968)

Stan was joined in the business by two sons, Steve and Jim.  By November 1975 the company had taken over B. Burgess and, in April 1976, had moved into the Burgess premises and had started to trade as H Davenport and Sons Ltd incorporating B Burgess and Sons Ltd.  By June 77 were trading as Davenport Burgess, 39-41 Temple Bar, Willenhall.

They moved to new premises in Davenport House, 47 Wednesfield Road, Willenhall in the 1980s.

Stan Davenport died in 1998.

Key maker.  In 1921 J & T Davenport were at 3 Cross Street.  In 1936 and 1953 John Davenport was at 3 Cross Street.  Nothing else known.

Key maker.  A typical Wednesfield key filer, working in an outhouse behind the home.  They purchased key casting from a local foundry, for example, John Guest of Walsall, who had a warehouse in Victoria Road Wednesfield, where Davenports obtained malleable iron casting which they would then file, turn, drill cut and polish and then supply to the factors for supply to the replacement key trade

.Most of these types of key makers were very secretive about their ways of finishing key castings. The workshops, in an outhouse behind their home, would have a stable door entrance. The bottom was never opened to visitors, visitors were never allowed inside and all business was carried out over the door.

Thomas Davenport and Son was in being in the 1930s and was run by Norman Davenport into the 1960s. The development of welded steel keys saw the demise of the cast key and therefore the need for the key filer. The company closed when Norman retired.

Key maker, as above, run by William (Bill) Davenport into the 1960s. In 1921 there was a William Davenport in Victoria Road. In 1936 William Davenport is listed as at 53 Victoria Road and 14 North Street.

R. DAVIES,  SEDGELY

Safe plate for R. Davies.  Nothing else is known about this firm.

Cabinet lock makers. Established in 1860.  

In 1921 there was a V. Dugmore in Thornley Street.  In 1934 V. Dugmore manufactured cabinet locks in Wolverhampton; their trademark was a swastika (LMNL No44).  

In the 1960s they supplied flat steel blanks to the replacement trade. 

Existing in 1970.  Nothing else known.

Lockmakers.  Started before the Second World War in a workshop and small office opposite the Victory Club, next to Hough’s house, Lichfield Road, New Invention.  They made large rim and mortice locks.  During the war they bought and sold steel and stopped making locks; they finished shortly after the war.  Still listed as being in existence in 1974.

In 1900 (Kelly’s) there was T Dukes, New Invention, Cabinet Lock maker, and T H Dukes, Short Heath, Cabinet lock maker.  These could have been forerunners of W A Dukes and Co Ltd.