A Gazetteer of Lock and Key Makers

Jim Evans

this gazetteer is copyright Jim Evans, 2002

Established in 1890 as manufacturer of rim, dead, combination, gate locks and night latches. In the 1930s was run by Aaron Adey who was later joined by his sons Ron and Cyril. (Fred Birch 31/3/2000). Still in existence in 1953, but not in 1970. Nothing else known.

The firm was started by Charles Leonard Nott c1900.  He had previously worked for H. & T. Vaughan.  The company secretary was Elsa Norman, and her brother, Edgar Norman, was works manager.  Mr. Nott lived with his wife at Handsworth, Birmingham. His wife's maiden name was Ferguson and they were Quakers.  They had a three story building in Cheapside, Willenhall. They made the DREADNOUGHT padlock and numerous warded and other padlocks. Some of these were described as American Pattern, although British made.

Charles Nott died in 1940 and the company was taken over by his sister, Miriam Nott.  She continued with the business until the mid 1950s when they ceased trading. They were not listed in a trade directory for 1953. The goodwill of the company was passed to A & E Morgan (q.v.) The three story building in Cheapside, Willenhall, was then used by various companies until it was converted into flats in the 1980s. .(Ref. LMNL No 43 [Lock Museum News Letter]) (Locks and Keys No 9).

The firm was established in 1885 by George Anslow who lived at 130A  Newhall Street, Willenhall.  He built a factory next door and specialised in the manufacture of rim and dead locks.  He patented a mechanism for operating the latch bolt, 6 June 1888 No. 8245.

An advert from 1955.

Before the start of the Second World War in 1939 the business was taken over by the Pearson brothers, Sid and Bill, who added mortice locks to the range but ceased making the cylinder night latch. In 1965 they purchased the padlock makers H. W. CLARK (q.v.,) Wednesfield Road Willenhall. (Ref. LMNL 14 & 41.) This advert, provided by Trevor Dowson, is dated 1981.   The advert on the right says that the lock shown was made "some hundred years ago" and is signed "George Anslow".  Trevor Dowson says that it was made by the brother of the original founder, as an exhibition item (and that it is now on permanent loan to the lock museum).

Courtesy of David Parsons.

JAMES ARCHER

An advert from 1861.

JOHN ARNOLD & COMPANY, LOWER LICHFIELD STREET, WILLENHALL

An advert from 1865.
 

A manufacturer of wardrobe and cupboard locks, under Asro and Ashtree trade names.  Set up by Mr Ash and Mr Rogers, one of whom was knocked over by a vehicle while on a business trip and died from his injuries.  First noted, by Jim Evans, as in existence in1921. These two illustrations, supplied by Trevor Dowson, come from a catalogue of 1940.

In 1936 they were at Ashtree Works, Pargetter Street, Walsall.  They moved to new works in Bentley Lane and were eventually taken over by a furniture manufacturer who was their largest customer.

The name eventually disappeared, although some of the production could have been carried out by a new company Ashtree (Locks and Hardware) & Co., Birchills Trading Estate, Walsall who were owned by J R Goodman (Bloxwich) Ltd in 1973.

Manufacturers of the EXCEL cylinder lock.  In 1937 a report to the CLMA stated that Warshaw & Sons were understood to be interested in the company and that Belgian capital was involved. They placed an order for cases with W P Edmonds, while intending to make their own cylinders.

 They made the Excel lock in which the case, staple cylinder and other parts were all die-castings. In 1938 they applied to join the CLMA. 

By 1953 they had moved to new premises at Willesden Works, Old Oak, London when they were also making a brass cabinet lock. They were still in existence in 1959.

SAMUEL ASTON,  21 ST JOHN'S STREET,  WOLVERHAMPTON

In 1953 listed as manufactures of rim, mortice and latches. At one time could have manufactured cylinder night latches under the brand name ALTUS and APEX? (Or was this G.Spencer?).  Later went into the manufacture of cabs for trucks etc.  Not in existence in 1914 but still going in 1936 and 1970.

This notice appeared in The Ironmonger Guide, 1950, trade marks section.  What the connection is, if any, between the company at Stamford Hill (otherwise unknown) and that at Willenhall, is not known.

 

CHARLES AUBIN