Cuban Mail Service Government Padlock

The padlock  is marked "Cuban Mail Service" and "XX" and "666".  During the 1901 fiscal year (Aug.1900-Jul 1901) the island of Cuba was a U.S. territory. Consequently, the U.S. provided Cuba with 730 mail locks and 310 keys which they labelled "XX Series".  "XX" was the key code. In addition, they numbered each lock (from 1 to 730) and this one is labelled "666".   

The lock was patterned after the Smith & Egge design and was either made by them (for the US Post Office) or made directly by the U.S. Government Mail Equipment Shops.  

By 1912, Cuba gained it's independence but may have continued to use U.S. provided locks, mailboxes, and the like.



The photos show the "XX" Series padlock and a second lock labelled "Correos RM" (Post Office Registered Mail) which was made by F. Brooks Company, New York. It is also stamped "3354".