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First appearance of the cam style sash lock, in the Russell & Erwin catalog of 1899, page 296
The cam style sash lock has been the dominant product of its kind for the past 120 years. It was introduced in 1899. The firm Russell & Erwin issued two hardware catalogs in 1899; the first did not offer the cam style sash lock but the second one did (see image above). The early appearances of the cam style sash lock in hardware catalogs often included decorated versions, including the one shown below in the White 1902 catalog. That catalog identified it as the Fitch sash lock, which may point to the person who invented it. The cam style sash lock superseded other types of sash locks fairly quickly; other sash locks rarely appeared in hardware catalogs after 1911. The cam style sash lock has been remarkably durable, remaining in production throughout the century, mostly with the same design it had in 1899.
Illustration of a decorative cam style sash lock published in the White hardware catalog of 1902, page 265.
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