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Wonderful antique bank/lockbox featuring an authentic The Keyless Lock Co. Indianapolis, Indiana U.S.A. combination lock and U.S. postal-style box door.
The brass-toned front has two alphabet combination dials, a vertical glass window, upper identification window and raised U.S. lettering. The back of the original mechanism is stamped “THE KEYLESS LOCK CO. INDIANAPOLIS IND. U.S.A. – PATENTED.”
The postal door has been fitted into a beautiful solid wood box with rich grain, paneled construction, small wooden feet and an ornate brass carrying handle. There is also a coin slot beneath the handle, allowing it to be used as a bank.
The letters J-N are handwritten on the bottom and may have been intended as the combination. The locking mechanism does operate, but it can be finicky. I have been able to open it with the dials in different positions after working with them a bit. When the door closes, it closes and latches tightly, and it can take some patience to get it open again. Because of this, I am not guaranteeing J-N as the combination or the lock to operate in a specific sequence.
Measures approximately 4 1/2" wide × 3 1/2" deep × 6 1/2" tall.
The wood has gorgeous color and grain with age-appropriate surface wear. The brass and metal components show patina, scratches and oxidation consistent with age. The interior is unfinished and shows normal wear.
This is a fantastic piece of early American postal history and would make a beautiful display piece for a postal collector, antique lock collector, bank collector, office or library.
c. 1890s–early 1900s postal lock/door
