Fake Railroad Locks

Above. This fake Colorado & Southern Railway cast brass lock surfaced in 2007. Click on any image for a larger version. A few comments about it:

"I was totally fooled by the face but I did notice a couple of differences that I was willing to go along with as possibly manufacturing variations.  One was that there’s an extra period under the “AND” and before the “S” that isn’t on the original.  The second is that the originals of this version of the C&S fancy lock without the pebbled background are not a full size switch lock and are slightly different shaped; they are smaller than the C&S fancy that has the pebbled background.  This one is the same size and shape as the pebbled background version.  But I sort of discounted it as a possible variation in manufacturing.  The front gives it away totally. Notice the complete lack of wear and patina."

This is the first C&S fake I’ve seen or heard of. One thing is for sure.  Whoever is doing this is being supplied with original locks to make copies of.  And not all the ones that have shown up as fakes have been for sale on the web, so someone with an advanced lock collection has either sold or is supplying these for reproduction."

This the same style as the fake C RR of NJ, NYS & W, N & W and other locks that were offered on Ebay about a year ago by the same dealer. It was indicated in the article that the faker must have had access to an original C & S lock to make the copy. However, as a former owner of an authentic C RR of NJ, I can state for a fact that I know of only 2 in existance, and, the fakers DID NOT have access to an original. Unfortunately, I believe that who ever is reproducing them can do it from a photo alone, as the fake CNJ didn't appear until a photo of my lock was posted on the internet. That would also indicate why there are little "differences" found on the fake locks that aren't shown on the originals. If they did have an original lock to make a casting from, I believe it would look exactly the same, without variation Also one of the main characteristics for identifying one of these fakes is the "tab" on the side of the dust cover and keyhole. -DA

Fake"Castback" locks. Collectors have reported various fake, cast brass locks that have surfaced. Recent versions include Norfolk & Western (authentic version shown at upper right), Central Railroad of New Jersey (authentic version shown lower right), New York, Susquehanna & Wester, and PRR. The quality of the lock casting is poor and there are vertical striations in the brass. Similar and authentic PRR locks are shown on our locks page.

We recently received the following comment, "In addition to the variations from a real lock that your website mentions, the key also varies in that the shank appears as two sections, with varying widths. Also, while the lock does have a spring loaded dust cover, the locking mechanism doesn't have any springs. You turn the key to the right to unlock the lock (which doesn't spring open). To lock the lock, you have to push the hasp back into place, then turn the key to the left." (Thanks to Jeff P.)