Were GI chained padlocks attached to foot lockers?

[alfredely]

I'm restoring a 1967-dated U.S. Army foot locker and would like to get period correct GI padlock.

 

Does anyone know how the chains attached to GI issue padlocks were attached to the lockers? Or were they not attached at all? Are these type of locks even meant for foot lockers? I'm not finding any reference photos anywhere online.

 

Thanks!

[12thengr]

 In 1972, in basic we bought our footlocker locks at the PX when we were escorted there in the first few days. Non-U.S. marked no chain. I still have one around, someplace.🤨

[Rhscott]

While not in until 1984 I have not seen US marked locks in personal use, only unit property use.

[rtd_sf_eng]

Even in mid 1966, we had to provide our own locks for both the wall and foot locker.

[manayunkman]

So what’s the chain for?

 

Its a good idea to bolt it to the locker so you don’t misplace it.

[phantomfixer]

4 hours ago, manayunkman said:

So what’s the chain for?

 

Its a good idea to bolt it to the locker so you don’t misplace it.

We had these locks in the USAF on our aircraft toolboxes.. the chains were riveted to the box …and were etched with the tool box “rack” number

[Mr Ed]

In my experience in active time back in the early 70's, at least in Germany, the brass locks and also the series 200 padlocks were at times used on personal wall lockers and footlockers if one had a footlocker of sorts and if one had acquired one somewhere.  However, periodically there would be a crackdown by the unit commander and those using the gov't locks had to turn them in to supply and use a civilian lock.  Although this was not really a big issue.

 

As 12thengr mentioned above, that was also my experience in basic as well.

 

As far as attaching the brass lock chains, I actually saw that very rarely used in both my active units and National Guard units.  A fair percentage of the time the chains were just removed.

 

The photo you posted reflects the word "set."  This lock would have had 4 or 5 locks that were all keyed the same making it a set.  Those brass lock that just show US only and not marked with "set" were stand-alone locks.

 

Also to mention, on both the brass locks and series 200 locks, when one unlocked the lock, the key could not be removed from the lock until the lock was relocked.

[Illinigander]

I worked for the Feds, and after the Viet Nam war we received some surplus tool sets that came with such a lock, but no tool boxes.  I have a collection of  late 1880's-WW1 US Ordnance locks.  They are heavy and some are marked such as: Ammunition, Combination Rifle And Pistol Racks Model 1913, and the like.  Some of them have the Ordnance seal cast into the lock body.  I would like to find one marked for my  M/1920 Arms Rack.

illinigander 

[GWS]

On 12/12/2023 at 9:20 PM, illinigander said:

I worked for the Feds, and after the Viet Nam war we received some surplus tool sets that came with such a lock, but no tool boxes.  I have a collection of  late 1880's-WW1 US Ordnance locks.  They are heavy and some are marked such as: Ammunition, Combination Rifle And Pistol Racks Model 1913, and the like.  Some of them have the Ordnance seal cast into the lock body.  I would like to find one marked for my  M/1920 Arms Rack.

illinigander 

 

    Is this the type lock you are referring to? It has no specific marking but I used it on my M-1920 Combo Arms rack.  I removed it when I sold the rack and took off the chain I had on it.

[12thengr]

 In reference to post #2. Footlocker lock purchased 51 years ago at the PX in Ft. Polk La. on left, it's a 'Corbin'. On right is a miniature U.S. Lock stamped 'Eagle'.

[Illinigander]

GWS- Yes that is the type.  On some the use was stamped on the lower blank space under the Ordnance seal.  I have a 1913 arms rack marked one and 3 Ammunition ones.  I would love to find one marked Limber for my 3.2" limber.  Every limber chest was locked with one, but only the gun captain or ordnance sergeant had the master key to open the chest.  I'll bet most of the old limbers when they were turned in to be destroyed, the unkeyed  locks were not removed. 

illinigander

[iron bender]

illinigander, can you id this lock? Thanks!

[iron bender]

I've found multiple locks of this type on the www but no positive identification.

[ScottG]

   We used the small US marked locks for tool boxes. other organizational equipment boxes and for vehicle mounted boxes. The larger more squared off type were used for weapons racks and steering wheel chains as well as supply and arms room lockers. I was in from 85-2007.    Scott

[Gyrene1978]

Footlockers and locks...When I was in boot camp, the week after the rifle range was spent on "mess and maintenance." Basically, the four platoons in our series went on shinola details all week: some to the mess hall, others doing menial jobs around the base. One of the other platoons was in a squadbay just down the hall from us. The DIs in the series sometimes screwed with each other, or each others' platoons. That platoon was on mess duty and rarely got back to the barracks before about 2200. Then they had to shower, etc. before hitting the rack. One night one of our DIs took us over there before they got back and had us mix up all of their footlockers. 72 footlockers, all moved around to different bunks. When they got back there was quite the commotion over there. I don't know how long it took them to sort it out but I do know they were annoyed!

[Gyrene1978]

Hey, this site apparently has sensitivities, which is surprising, given the clientele. I did NOT say "annoyed." I said "PI$$ED!"

[Gyrene1978]

And I did NOT say "shinola!!"

[Illinigander]

iron bender-  Sorry I just found your post.  I do not know what that lock would be used for.   I can't read the stamping on the hasp.  Would you please send that info.

Thanks, illinigander

[iron bender]

Ames Sword Co, Chicopee Mass

Pat. Sept 18, 13?, 1832?62?82?

 

I know it's not 1832. Obviously made by Ames. 1882 would be my guess. I don't even know that the US mark is martial in nature. Could be lots of things I guess

[Illinigander]

Thanks iron bender.  I didn't know Ames made locks, but if you are casting brass items it makes sense.  I would think that the round shape would be late 19th century.

illinigander