Patent for an Improved Self-Locking Padlock

On 28 February 1865, Wilson Bohannan received U.S. Patent No. 46,539 for an “Improvement in Padlocks.” Filed on 29 November 1864, the patent described a self-locking mechanism in which the shackle itself helped operate a spring-pawl and catch as it was closed. The arrangement allowed the shackle to be secured with relatively little effort, while slotted tumblers controlled its release when the key was used. This was one of the early patents behind our developing range of commercial padlocks. Surviving Wilson Bohannan locks are known with the 28 February 1865 patent date stamped on them, providing physical evidence that the patented design was put into manufacture. Our 1880 catalogue also listed the February 1865 patent among the patents associated with the locks we were producing at the time.