The Western Railway Museum has been slowly repairing our first artifact - the Key System 271 which we acquired in 1946. This car is a 1901 St Louis Car product built for the Lehigh Valley Transit but, perhaps without ever being getting to Pennsylvania, acquired by the Key in 1904. This has been a 10-year project and we are to the stage of reinstalling the windows and their hardware. We are missing three latches. The person who removed the windows, installed new glass, and refinished the windows has died, so we can't ask after the missing latches. A picture of the latch is attached. It is stamped "Dayton Mfg Co" so that is all we know. The car was rebuilt by the Key and we doubt that the latches are those that originally came with the car. Does anybody recognize these latches? Does anybody have any?

I believe an almost identical latch was made by the Phoenix Lock Company of West Chester, PA, but to the best of my knowledge, they are long out of business. I may have a few spare; they were a little too small and lightweight for use on our coaches.

- Alan Maples
Everett Railroad

Some years ago, I bought a pair of similar-appearing brass window sash latches. They turned out to be El Cheapo copies made in India, IIRC. Might have been "Phoenix" brand. Shiny brass, but much thinner and flimsier than the originals.

We tried a pair in a 1916 "Harriman" [Southern Pacific "Common Standard" design] coach. They failed - the window crashed down - after less than 2 miles of 15 mph travel.

- Doug Debs

Adlake makes sturdy window sash locks. #78s are very similar to what you're looking for.
Adlake p/n 19737: #78 R.H. Sash Lock (see attached Adlake drawing)
Adlake p/n 19738: #78 L.H. Sash Lock

We recently got a quote for #78 sash locks, #183 sash locks, and other items. The person to contact is:

Jonathan Ford
Business Development
Adams & Westlake, LTD
940 N. Michigan Street
Elkhart, IN 46514
M: 574-350-7995
F: 574-264-1146
http://www.adlake.com

- Doug Debs
Niles Canyon Railway
Sunol, CA 94586

.

Dayton supplied a variety of car furnishings. The company was associated with Barney & Smith, but was kept independent, I believe in part so it could supply other car builders. I believe you have a Dayton catalog in your museum archives.

As you can see from Debs and other replies, these parts are available either from old salvage, or new production. The parts from most of the suppliers are interchangeable (but do come in left and right) but will have nuances… how the taper from mounting ends to the body with the latch is shaped… is the thumb piece curved or flat. They are frequently matched to a brass stepped strip, but in some cases mesh with holes drilled in the wood trim. Good fit is important or the sash can drop.

In addition to Adake and Strasburg, the SPCRR at Ardenwood farm has a pattern that they had made and have used.
Randy

Another long-time railroad hardware, locks, etc supplier that is still in business is James L. Howard & Company. https://www.jameslhoward.com/