A Gazetteer of Lock and Key Makers

Jim Evans

this gazetteer is copyright Jim Evans, 2002

Established in 1808.  Manufacturers of hand made brass mortice, rim, case and sash locks, and all types of brass locks for ships' use.   In 1881 was run by David Starkey (b 1842).  In the 1960s was run by Ryland Starkey, who took the business over from his father.   In 1980s their tools and orders were acquired by Guardian Lock (q.v.).   Mr Ryland Starkey died January 1996, aged ?.

Pad lock manufacturers.  Existing in 1921 and 1953, but not 1914 or 1970.  Nothing else known.

Cylinder locks and locking devices for the motor trade.  Basically a die casting company who used their technique to make locks for the motor trade under the STREBOR and STRONIS trade names.  Existing in 1970.

 

WALTER SUMMERFIELD,  UNION STREET,  WILLENHALL

Walter Summerfield was born in 1813 and established the business in 1845 as rim, mortice, gate dead lock and latch manufacturers.  In 1863 there was a W Summerfield in Froysell Street, Willenhall; in 1881 he was at 3 Union Street, employing 3 men and 1 boy.

THOMAS SUTTON & SONS, ABLOW STREET, WOLVERHAMPTON

This advert, from 1920, is the only evidence of this firm.

Cupboard, chest, till, press and padlock makers.  In 1881 there was a Bennet Tarbuck, aged 43, living at 28 Little London, who was a cabinet lock maker.  He had a son, also Bennet, who was born in 1874.  They were in existence in 1914 and 1953, but not 1970.

 

TARBUCK AND SQUIRE,  24 NEW RAILWAY STREET,  WILLENHALL

Key makers.  Existing in 1914.  In 1949 they purchased keys from A Hough and Sons, when the proprietor was B Squire.  Existing in 1953 but not 1970.  Nothing else known.

Manufactures of brass and iron cabinet locks.  Also key maker.  Founded in 1885.

Mr Job Tarbuck was one of the last traditional key makers to work in Willenhall, until he died c1960.  Nothing else known.

Set up in the 1960s by Mr Jack Taylor, an ex Yale employee, to specialise in the design and manufacture of high security locks.  In 1999 changed their name to Telco Security Lock Ltd and added the design and production of electronic locks and access controls to their range.

ABRAHAM THOMPSON, 28 TEMPLE BAR, WILLENHALL

Tony Beck writes:  This firm was established in 1831 for the manufacture of all kinds of padlocks and night latches for home and export.  Thompson seems to have sold his locks to the United States, as a number appear for sale there.  From 1851 to 1861 they were located at 28 Temple Bar, Willenhall.  They remained there until 1912 when they merged with Jonah Banks & Sons, padlock manufacturers, of Clothier Street, Willenhall.  Banks went into receivership on 5th January 1993 and their factory closed shortly after.  

A double bitted key padlock, with a ward plate inside (which requires the key to be quarter-turned to get inside to the mechanism).

A screw padlock, bearing Thompson's name on the rather worn brass plate. The kite Registered Design Mark dates it as 1843.

ENOCH TONKS & SONS LTD,  TEMPLE WORKS,  TEMPLE BAR,  WILLENHALL

read the story of Enoch Tonks (ETAS)

TRIO LOCK CO,  NORTH STREET,  WEDNESFIELD

Cabinet lock makers.  Run by Randle Burrows and Enoch Tonks.  Existing in 1953.  Not existing in 1970.  Nothing else known.

 

THOMAS TUCKLEY,  HALEY STREET,  LANE HEAD,  WILLENHALL

Established in 1780 as cabinet lock makers in brass and iron, till, chest, trunk, cupboard and brass lever cabinet locks and keys.

In 1881 Thomas Tuckley of Short Heath age 65 is listed as a lockmaker.  Living with him was his grandson, Thomas Crossley.  In the 1930s the firm was run by a Mr Crossley (in 1936 W Crossley is listed as a cabinet lock maker in Lane Head) and then his two sons, Alan and Bill.

When they retired in the 1960s they were employing about four locksmiths. In earlier years they had employed up to fifty.  Ron Bowdler took over part of the premises in the early 1960s for his turned parts business.

Key Maker.  Existing in 1936 and 1953.  Not existing in 1921 or 1970.  Nothing else known.

This firm was originally listed here by Jim Evans as: "Cabinet lock makers.  Existing in 1936 and 1974.  Nothing else known."  But there is now solid evidence that they were in existence well before 1880 and possibly further back than 1840.  It is also known that they made safes and a variety of locks.  Perhaps later in their existence they specialised in the cabinet locks Jim refers to.

The 1914 Wolverhampton Red Book lists the company at 1 Great Brickkiln Street and their listing continues until 1960. The town centre end of Great Brickkiln Street was renamed as Pitt Street after the ring road was built.  Their premises are the blue building shown in the photo (right).

Steve Cannon has provided this photo of his miniature safe (note the size of the WD40 can).   The safe is "The Premier Safe" by Thomas Turner.

Tony Beck (the Editor of the Lock Collectors Newsletter) has also written to say that Thomas Turner "made some fine locks" and that he understands that they made locks for Milners' before they set up making their own locks.  

Tony adds that they made what might be called a poor man's Chubb see-saw detector lock, circa 1840.   His photo (right) shows the interior of such a lock in his collection.  The brass front plate has Turner's name and a "V.R." mark.

They also made a fine bottle lock.  This one, also from Tony's collection, gives the date of Burns's patent as January 1881.

Mr. L. Davies also has such a lock.  It seems to be identical except that the words "Dated Jny 1881" do not appear on the top.   Here it shown in use - it was like a tantalus for a single bottle and stopped the servants getting at the drink.

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