thumb latch maker

[mariew]

Can anyone tell me what a thumb latch maker was that was what my 3x grandfather done for a living.

 

[Pomgolian]

:angel: I think they were like most outside loo's had to hold the door closed although I have seen more elaborate ones in side old buildings.
thumblatch Description:
hand made wrought iron thumb latch

 

[mariew]

Thanks a lot Chris no one seemed to know what it was, and once again I ask a question on this site and get an answer straigh away. cheers.

 

[The Baron]

www.amlwchhistory.co.uk/data/occupations.htm this may help with any other occupation ?

 

[Peter Walker]

When I was in Brum last Thursday I used two or three thumb-latches. It was in the 'British Oak' pub, corner of Gooch Street and Wrentham St. I would guess it was rebuilt in the 1820s, when it was quite common to use a thumb latch rather than a knob you turned, or a lever handle you pressed down. By my time in the 1930s they were almost extinct, only used on front garden gates, but you had to have a front garden first.
Peter

 

[mariew]

Do you know thinking about it now I should have known what a thumb latch was, our back gate at folliott road had a thumb latch but I didn't realise that was what they were called. Thank you all again.

 

[mariew]

Thank for the occupations website its great.