Rim locks, or box locks as they are sometimes also referred to as, have been around for hundreds of years. Originally made in England and Europe these locks were imported into the United States until the early 1800’s, thus it is difficult to find many original antique locks in the States dating back before this time.
The reason the rim lock is sometimes referred to as a box lock is because of its box like appearance. Originally the design of these type of locks was very simple, it looked like a box with a keyhole that was mounted on the outside of the door.
Locks changed over the centuries, with each era having very defined styles when it came to their appearance. Some of the metals used to make rim locks included brass, bronze and wrought iron. There were even some made from wood, although very few of these are still around due to the nature of wood and the fact that it does not last in the same way that metal does.
The actual decorative style of the lock changed over the years also. Very early locks, such as those made during medieval times, were very ornate with intricate designs etched on them. Keys were also very ornate. During later years the locks became very smooth and plain, with no decorations or carvings include.
Handles can be either a regular straight handle, a knob, a ring or some other design. Oftentimes it is made from the same metal as the lock itself. During Victorian times the handles were made from different material such as porcelain or even glass.
While this lock can be very decorative, especially if it is based on an antique style lock it is not very secure and if installed on exterior doors should always be used as an auxiliary lock only. When it comes to front door locks, you need to make sure that you have something far more sturdy especially if it is the only lock on the door. While rim locks do add style and have a charm of their own, they are not sufficient to provide your home with good security.
Tags: brass rim lock, rim lock, rim locks, Victorian rim lock