THE VARIETY OF MATERIALS AND FINISHES

 

You can make a lock out of any material you like. But on the whole strong materials, such as metals, are preferably to weaker ones such as wood. In the old days wrought iron was almost exclusively used, though bronze and brass also made appearances. Parkes's list is, I presume, the materials most likely to be used. But they omit the precious metals such as gold and silver, in which fancy locks are certainly made.

 

Aluminium Alloys
Aluminium Bronze
Brass
Bronze
Cadmium
Cast Iron
Chromium
Copper
Fire Bronze Strip
Gunmetal
Malleable Cast Iron
Manganese Bronze
Mild Steel
Nickel
Nickel Silver
Non-Metallic Materials
Phosphor Bronze
Spring Steel
Stainless Steel
Tin
Tool Steel
Wrought Iron
Zinc Alloy

 

So, if you have chosen a type of lock or bolt and the metal you want it made out of, now you have to choose a finish.  Here are some that Parkes listed.  But not all finishes would go on all metals.  And, of course, not all would be suitable for every possible use.

 

Anodised
Armour Bright
Antique Brass
Antique Silver
Art Black
Barreled
Bobbed
Bright Brass
Bronze Plated
Brown Varnish
Buffed
Burnished
Cadmium Plated
Chromated
Chromium Plated
Chromium Plated, Dull
Copper Plated
Brass Plated
Dead Black
Degreased
Dipped
Dull Brass
Dull Bronze
Electro Plated
Enamelled
Florentine Bronzed
Japanned
Nickel Plated
Primed for Painting
Satin Aluminium, Lacquered
Satin Aluminium, Anodised
Zinc Coated-Galvanised
Zinc Coated-Hot dipped


So you have the right lock, in the right material with the right finish.  But there are still more choices to be made.

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