1920's Post Office Lobby Box Door-USA

Made by the Keyless Lock Company (Indianapolis, IN) circa 1920's. Hinged, brass embellished with Eagle clutching arrows in his talons. Single combination dial with 3 settings to open and a two-finger knob to release latch.
Post office boxes are usually mounted in a wall of the post office, either an external wall or a wall in a lobby, so that staff on the inside may deposit mail in a box, while a key holder (some older post office boxes use a combination dial instead of a key) in the lobby or on the outside of the building may open their box to retrieve the mail. It is unknown when exactly lobby personal boxes began but believed to be shortly after 1900.
This box door design would serve as a better option to the United States Post Office than the Grecian Single Knob design being used at the time, mainly because of the security of the lock. It also crossed over into the ornate Eagle design rather than the embossed letters U.S. that was traditionally used as US Federal trademarking. The Eagle symbol evolved into the USPS official symbol still in use today!

Thick glass window true to period and no "rust-lock" in the combination (works).
OPENING INSTRUCTIONS AND COMBINATION:
Combination #'s are 2-3-6
Clear dial by turning right 5X and stop on #2 marker
Then turn left passing #3 once then on second time around stop on #3 marker
Then turn right only to stop on #6 marker

The Keyless Lock Company was the successor to the Morris Lock Company and the L.B. Williams Lock Company of Seward, Nebraska.
In November, 1892, the company was reorganized and moved to Indianapolis with *AUTHUR JORDAN as President. They occupied a substantial structure for that time period, the building was 40×150 feet, and equipped with every modern appliance and special machinery. KLC boasted sixty skilled workmen, a wood-making department and employed traveling salesmen.
Keyless Lock Company was the leader in the US manufacturing key-less locks and complete post office outfits. The Company manufactured the only practical key-less lock boxes in existence along with post office cabinets, furniture and fixtures, paneled and molded front counters of hard woods, flat top desks for post masters, key less steel letter boxes, document boxes, key less cabinets, also desk, closet, wardrobe and closet locks, key less stamping blocks and post office supplies of every description.
The lock is not complicated, does not get out of order, and is not like a safe lock, nevertheless it is the only lock made that cannot be picked. It has no tumblers and in short is simplicity, security, durability and beauty combined. Nine thousand combinations are possible with the lock without a book of instructions, or taking lock apart, and box post office renters can and do change it to suite themselves.
Safe Banks that were made by the Keyless Lock Company include: “The Keyless Safety Deposit” in cast iron, “The Keyless Savings Bank” in tin, and the “Lumbermen’s Building and Loan Association” in cast iron. Additionally, they made the Salt Lake City “Tabernacle Building” bank – Moore No. 976 – in cast iron.
Arthur Jordan was an Indianapolis entrepreneur and businessman in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Born in 1855, he was educated in Indianapolis public schools, dropping out after his junior year to help with family income. He purchased a small company handling butter and eggs in 1876. In an article for a produce markets publication 27 years later, he stated “At first I gave special attention to the local trade, but soon found the eastern markets to be both attractive and profitable, and within a few years the shipping end of the business required the greater part of my attention.” At that time, eggs and produce could not be shipped great distances without spoilage. Mr. Jordan understood the need to move from the ice packing method of preservation to a refrigerated system of packing and cold storage plants. Pioneering a viable solution, he became the first businessman to ship a trainload of poultry from Indianapolis to New York City. His other ventures include the Keyless Lock Company, the City Ice Company of Indianapolis, the Capital Gas Engine Company, and the International Machine Tool Company. Not only an entrepreneur, he also helped direct and maintain existing organizations as president of the Meridian Life and Trust Company, board member of his church and a local leader in the direction of the YMCA. Arthur Jordan was also a philanthropist and founded the Arthur Jordan Foundation on December 24, 1928. Mr. Jordan died in New York City in 1934 but legacy lives on through the foundation.
Weighs 1 lb 13 oz
5.5" Wide
6.25" Tall
Approx 1" Deep
See photos for condition
Display stand not include with purchase
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