Rising Sun

By David Heuermann ... April 2007

This padlock appears to be made of chrome or nickel, not the usual iron composition. There are significant grinding striations on the obverse and reverse of the body. Also noted are the same striations around the face plate and case rim, which appears to have been done to match the face plate to the body.

The "MADE IN USA" stamped on the reverse of the case is irregular, or made to look like this by uneven grinding.

As of this writing there are only 5 known specimens of this padlock. I can only guess that these padlocks were samples made for export to Japan, and subsequently never mass produced. I say this because of the "MADE IN USA", the rising sun, and the limited number of known specimens.