Mystery windlass (lock key) found in shed with dust on it

[magnetman]

I stumbled across a mystery windlass (lock key) recently.

 

I have seen them before but never been sure where they originated from. It has two sockets but rather than side by side they are in line and it is cast iron which has been hot dip galvanised.

Its a heavy thing (not my kind of thing other than for collecting) so I told the misses that its a ladies windlass - handy as a weapon if you find yourself threatened by undesirable individuals while operating paddle gear

 

Anyway a couple of pictures are hopefully added below.

 

Does anyone know what D L might stand for? It is very nicely included in the casting.

Edited April 16, 2016 by magnetman

[Ray T]

Sorry can't help with the mark but if I may slightly hijack the thread - still concerns a windlass?

 

It is in the visitor centre at Trevor Basin.

I couldn't decipher the mark but the head has a hole drilled in it.

 

 

 

 

 

E.T.A. the W.F.B. Co. at Stockton, Warwickshire sell chromed versions of the twin socket type windlass:

 

 

 

They are heavy though.

Edited April 16, 2016 by Ray T

[magnetman]

Hijacking is welcomed

 

I also have a windlass with a hole in it and I was told by a knowledgeable type of person that it was so that it could be permanently fitted to the paddle spindle.

 

It's a long time since I was up that way (2003) but I seem to remember there were a couple of flood locks somewhere on the river soar which had permanently attached windlasses.

(When I say permanently fitted I mean by using pin and a hole drilled into the paddle spindle - obviously removeable but not readily detached)

[alan_fincher]

I also have a windlass with a hole in it and I was told by a knowledgeable type of person that it was so that it could be permanently fitted to the paddle spindle.

 

Some of the pictures published of the double locks on the Regents Canal when they all had lock keepers, show paddles with permanently. (or at least Semi-permanently), attached windlasses.

 

I recall some had a very large throw.

[Guest User]

Beeston Lock has welded-on windlasses. Photo from http://beestonweek.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/table-8-to-marvellous-furniture-via.html :

 

 

 

LCx

[Nickhlx]

It would become a potentially dangerous tool if the paddle lock was held up and you lost grip ... still I guess it makes it harder to pinch !

 

Nick

[AMModels]

Could the DL be from a hire boat firm? Thinking Dartline maybe?

[Batavia]

The DL logo is the same as the Davey chandlery one - but I had always thought that their products were more salty-water related!

 

http://www.davey.co.uk/

 

Chris G

[magnetman]

That's interesting thanks for that

 

It rang a bell somewhere but I didn't link it with Davey.

 

I thought they were more yotty too. this item was by the Thames so maybe at some point they sold a windlass for yotty types who occasionally ventured onto the cut?

[OldGoat]

I can only think that 'DL' might be Dorman Long - but they do large and heavy types of 'engineering'

[Tony Dunkley]

I stumbled across a mystery windlass (lock key) recently.

 

I have seen them before but never been sure where they originated from. It has two sockets but rather than side by side they are in line and it is cast iron which has been hot dip galvanised.

Its a heavy thing (not my kind of thing other than for collecting) so I told the misses that its a ladies windlass - handy as a weapon if you find yourself threatened by undesirable individuals while operating paddle gear

 

Anyway a couple of pictures are hopefully added below.

 

Does anyone know what D L might stand for? It is very nicely included in the casting.

 

Davey and Company Ltd , London.

Ships Chandlers previously based in in a big old warehouse at East India Dock, but now, I think, re-located to Great Dunmow . . . . near Stansted Airport.

[FadeToScarlet]

When sailing on a Thames barge, I noticed that several of the winch handles- which are probably windlasses too- looked a lot like those used on the cut. Maybe even the same supplier. Makes sense for Davey and company to make them, whether for winding paddle gear or winding winches.

[Peter-Bullfinch]

The locks at Lathom on the top of the Rufford Branch flight have some permanent 'windlass' handles and there are others further down the flight too. You have to remember to wind the paddles down before fully opening the gates because the throw of the handle otherwise fouls the gate. Otherwise you have to close the gate and then operate the fixed handle.

This flight also has the dreadfully awkward handcuff locks on chains and a few clough paddles.

[Richard T]

Cranfleet lock on the Trent also has fixed windlasses. They have a long throw - if they slip it hurts!!

[Aguila]

This flight also has the dreadfully awkward handcuff locks on chains .......

 

Probably why nobody ever bothers to lock them !

[MarkHez]

Glasson branch on the Lancaster canal has welded windlasses, padlocked with BW key locks. Very long throw on them, which is bloody handy as most of the bottom paddles are awful to operate!