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Rog0525 · 05-20-2005, 09:44 AM

I found this while rummanging through the stock of a small RV shop.
I'm quite sure it's the original lock so many folks are looking for and I bought it on the spot.
It's brand new. The size of the mounting plates is 9 1/2" X 2 1/4". The etchings are:
THEODORE BARGMAN CO
DETROIT MICH
L-77A-1

The one thing that puzzles me is that lifting the handle does not activate the plunger. Should it?
I'll post this item in the Classifieds section as soon as I figure that out.

Inland RV Center, In · 05-20-2005, 10:07 AM

Rog0525

Fantastic catch!!!!

The striker bolt must move when you pull the handle.

If it does not, then somethings wrong.

Perhaps that might be the reason it is still around.

Andy

Rog0525 · 05-20-2005, 02:28 PM

The striker bolt assy was on the wrong side when I found it. I took it apart (bad idea) to switch to the correct side, but I obviously reassembled it wrong.
I just dropped it off at the shop to see if they can fix it. I think the cam is just in the wrong position but I'm too klutzy to tinker with it any more.
I looked around the shop again and found 2 exterior handles for the same lock.
I'll put those in the Classifieds too.

Over59 · 05-20-2005, 06:04 PM

Rog for President

markdoane · 05-20-2005, 07:36 PM

Let the bidding begin!

Maybe you could send a PM to everyone that wanted a new handle in the old '59 door handle' thread. Your call. I would put them up for bids.

Rog0525 · 05-20-2005, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markdoane

Let the bidding begin!

Maybe you could send a PM to everyone that wanted a new handle in the old '59 door handle' thread. Your call. I would put them up for bids.

I think "high bidder wins" is the fairest way to do it. I'll post the ad when I get the lock back on Monday.
The two handles are in my vault, alongside the gold ingots.

markdoane · 05-20-2005, 09:01 PM

Rog,

If they can't get it to work, send me a msg. I can take mine apart and send you some pictures of the correct assembly.

Rog0525 · 05-20-2005, 09:26 PM

I might need to take you up on that offer, Don. The gal at the RV shop was trying very hard to find a diagram when I left.
They are like a Mom and Pop store but have been in business since 1958 and have a lot of old Bargman stuff. If anyone is looking for hard-to-find Bargman lock cylinders or such, let me know and I'll see if they might have it.
Their shop reminds me of an old-fashioned hardware store, you know, the kind where the clerk would go get you one !/4" locknut instead of directing you to aisle #89 where you might find a sealed box of 100.

flyfshr · 05-20-2005, 10:36 PM

WOW!! A shiney new one. That's a thing of beauty. Good find Rog. Wish there were more of those Mom & Pop RV shops around.

FF

59toaster · 05-20-2005, 11:22 PM

Before any of those originals get damage wee need to see if we can find a machine shop to make one out of billet. I was going to have mine duplicated but I found that is about to fail and not true.

Rog0525 · 05-20-2005, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 59toaster

Before any of those originals get damage wee need to see if we can find a machine shop to make one out of billet. I was going to have mine duplicated but I found that is about to fail and not true.

Toaster, I would have no problem with providing one of the new handles as a prototype for possible reproduction.
I posted a wanted ad on these forums about 3 years ago when I had a '60 Overlander with a broken handle, so I know that forlorn feeling of not being able to find a part you desperately need.
If you think you can find someone who can make these handles available at a reasonable price, I'll be glad to work with you.

C Johnson · 05-21-2005, 12:12 AM

wow, those are a sweet find. I love it when I find things like that digging around in an old shop or swap meet !

59toaster · 05-21-2005, 09:02 AM

I'm trying to find a guy that I did some product reviews for a couple years ago. He's in Phoenix. Did a lot of Aero space stuff. I think he has the equipment that would do it. He had to close shop do to lack of work. I also know of another top notch machinist in the same area if I cant find the first guy.

flyfshr · 05-21-2005, 09:46 AM

Hey Toaster -
If you need a local guy to make contact with either of these shops, let me know. I'd be glad to help out.

FF

Hit'nMiss · 05-21-2005, 10:47 AM

Good photos, thanks for posting them. Guess we'll never know how little you got it for

huh?
Would be nice to know exactly which models this was placed on. And was it exclusive to Airstreams or a common utility lockset for various trailers back in the dark ages?

Is this the infamous $575.00 piece? Seems that one was a KT if I recall.It is not what I am familliar with off many of the 70's era trailers. And I think those are in the "Rolex" range also.
If this lock is in great demand, wonder what some Chinese Knock-off Outfit could duplicate it for? Course that would long delay your windfall.

From what I have read the quality couldn't get much lower in China than it was in the 70's with KT manufacturing.

It sounds like Bargman was a far superior item to KT. I think Airstream switched prior to the Beatrice buy out (of AS). Wonder why they would cheapen such an important part of their trailers?
Isn't Bargman still in business? I think KT is long defunct.

Would be nice to have an accurate matrix chart of the locks thru the years. (Hint to Shari) or at least include it in her other AS matrix.

Flicka

59toaster · 05-21-2005, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfshr

Hey Toaster -
If you need a local guy to make contact with either of these shops, let me know. I'd be glad to help out.

FF

Thanks FF

I shot off a E-mail and so far it hasn't come back as undeliverable. See if he replies. He's actually In Tucson. I thought they were both in AZ but the other guy is in San Juan Capistrano, CA.

I did product reviews for both these guys several years ago and both are top notch machinists. The second guy is known for making $200 Bomb proof U-joints for 4x4's.

Rog0525 · 05-21-2005, 07:03 PM

I also picked up 2 shorter Bargman handles which I think are for the L-66 horizontal mount lock. I don't know if there's a market for these but they were just too purty to pass up.

Rog0525 · 05-23-2005, 10:06 AM

I have listed one of the handles in the new auction feature which Andy just initiated.
http://www.airforums.com/class...cat.php?cat=33

Good luck to all and may the best bidder win.

Rog0525 · 05-26-2005, 08:40 PM

Silly me, I thought I found a very rare item that many members, including myself, were looking for now or in the past. I posted the find, offered one handle free for use as a prototype for reproduction, listed the other handle in the new auction feature, PM'd all members I knew of who had expressed a need for the handle, and posted an ad ad on both Airstream Central and VAC classifieds linking to the forums auction.
Result so far: 2 people have expressed interest by bidding $1 more than I paid for the handle.
I have the complete new lock back from the shop and it works fine. It and the other handle will go on eBay along with all the other bogus "original vintage Airstream" items, except mine will have a reserve price for snipers to figure out.
Andy cautioned me about listing such a hard-to-find item on the trial version of the new auction feature but silly me did it anyhow. I'll let it ride.

http://www.airforums.com/class...cat.php?cat=33

59toaster · 05-26-2005, 09:46 PM

With 11 days left before the auction ends Don't expect a lot of bids right away. I will be bidding for sure on both.

Still trying to find the one guy to see if he can make a billet version. His mail came back bad but I have somobody else that knows him and lives out that way trying to get in touch.