Wednesday, May 22, 2024

185. Dindigul Locks

Dindigul Locks from Tamilnadu are in demand because of their special attributes like quality, re-processing facility, key facility and attractiveness. They are designed to protect against some degree of forced and surreptitious entry.

Dindigul lock industry is more than 100 years old. All the locks made in this cluster are hand made and each lock is unique in its design and system. The entire process is based on the craftsmen's memory, most of whom have been engaged in this business for many years.

The major raw materials used are MS flat plates and Brass Plates. These materials are procured from the nearby towns of Madurai, Salem etc. They are usually picked up by the moulding units of the cluster and are converted into lock components before supplying them to the village artisans.

Image credit: thehindu.com

There is little or no record of the actual method of production as the information regarding the methodology is passed down from generation to generation by apprenticeship. The method of production is a three-step process involving moulding, welding and assembling.

Materials include Iron Sheets, Brass Sheets, key blanks, side plates and rods. Then objects like base rod and levers are individually manufactured and assembled, these then arc-welded to the iron sheet Finally the lock is given a lustrous finish by coating with Nickel polish. The whole process is done by hand and no machinery is used

There are over 50 varieties of locks made by the artisans. Every single lock that is designed possesses a unique style and it has its own special name. Some of them are

  • Door Locks - in pure brass and in mild steel are available with ordinary models to high tech, trick and bell security systems.
  • Almirah Locks - in pure brass from 50mm to 75mm.
  • Export Locks - designed for ease and comfort coupled with high security mechanism. These are available in antique style and finish and attractive designs.
  • Excise Locks - high security lock with triple safety arrangement to avoid outer sealing. The inbuilt sealing arrangement provides high security to lock the doors in banks and offices. Lock-in-Lock double locking mechanism provides caution and warning by a seal-breaking mechanism.
  • Trick Locks - special type of pad lock in various sizes with moveable hold plate with tricky arrangement to be operated and to be locked by a known person.
  • Mango Seven Lever Locks - locks have vertically sliding shackle with chromium plating to resist rust. These locks possess 7 levers with flat keys. Available in mild steel painted, plated, galvanized in pure brass.
  • Mango Nine Levers Locks - available in various sizes ranging from 25mm to 10mm in complete brass, mild steel painted chromium plated and galvanized. They are available with Double Locking, Triple Locking, Master Locking, Super Locking and Trick Locking system of non-interchangeable keys, up to 9 levers.

The craftsmen claim that the precision lever mechanism of their locks is unpickable. The shackles are meticulous in design and offer greater resistance to anyone who tries to break in. The levers are so designed that they have a greater degree of non-interchange ability of keys. There is a combination of proper key-holes to suit male, female, round or flat type of keys.

GI Tag Registration Date         : 30 August 2019

GI Tag Number                         : 400

Certificate Number                  : 358

Geographical Area                  : Tamil Nadu

Special Cover Release Date   : 13 October 2021

Cancellation                             : Dindigul 624 003

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

Cover Identification Number  : TN/28/2021

Each cover is numbered. Total 2000 covers are issued.

Enlarged View of Illustration

Enlarged View of Cancellation

Back Side Scan


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