Posted 9 years ago
Jacqueline…
(1 item)
Found in an old barn anyone know anything bout this or its value
Metal heavy with some chain attached no key
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This is a railroad switch lock. CTA is probably Chicago Transit Authority. They operate the famous "Loop" in Chicago. The date used could span 40 - 50 years. As for value, value is whatever someone will pay for an item. Put it on Ebay and see where it goes.
As for my two cents. Take it to the best locksmith in your area. Don't ask him to open it or pay anything, just show it to him and ask questions like is a key even available. A good locksmith has customers waiting to buy certain items as they become available. Play dumb and be smart.
It's a Chicago Transit Authority Adlake steel switch lock. They go on eBay for about twenty to thirty bucks.
The patent for this padlock was issued in 1936 to Andrew Hagerty, and assigned to the Adlake Company, of Illinois. You can view or download a copy of the patent at google.com/patents. Just enter the patent number (2,040,482) in the search line. You will find detailed drawings and description of the lock, including its internal mechanism, with the key. If it was designed for a specific purpose, the patent may explain that as well. Based on my brief glance, I'd say it's a general purpose padlock with some new feature that the inventor felt was an improvement over the technology of the day.