SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-Q

             [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
              THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY
                           PERIOD ENDED MARCH 29, 2003

                                       OR

             [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                      SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR
                         THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM to .

                          Commission File Number 0-599

                              THE EASTERN COMPANY
             (Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

            Connecticut                                    06-0330020
            -----------                                    ----------
  (State or other jurisdiction of                       (I.R.S. Employer
   incorporation or organization)                      Identification No.)

   112 Bridge Street, Naugatuck, Connecticut                       06770
   -----------------------------------------                       -----
   (Address of principal executive offices)                      (Zip Code)

                                 (203) 729-2255
                                 --------------
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  Registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
Registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                                   Yes X No .

     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an  accelerated  filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

                                   Yes    No X .

     Indicate the number of shares  outstanding of each of the issuer's  classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

           Class                           Outstanding as of March 29, 2003
           -----                           --------------------------------
  Common Stock, No par value                        3,629,360


                                       -1-


                            PART I

                    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

             THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
  ITEM I   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
  ------   -------------------------------------------------

  ASSETS


                                                                                   March 29, 2003            December 28, 2002
                                                                                   --------------            -----------------
                                                                                                         
  CURRENT ASSETS
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                        $   6,010,106                $   5,939,232
  Investment in common stock, at market                                                  771,570                      807,438
  Accounts receivable, less allowances:
  2003 - $333,000; 2002 - $304,000                                                    11,112,527                   10,824,807
  Inventories                                                                         16,169,244                   16,534,657
  Prepaid expenses and other                                                           1,657,888                    1,336,383
  Deferred income taxes                                                                  564,000                      564,000
                                                                                   -------------                -------------
  Total Current Assets                                                                36,285,335                   36,006,517
  --------------------

  Property, plant and equipment                                                       40,854,676                   40,442,628
  Accumulated depreciation                                                           (16,197,779)                 (15,392,659)
                                                                                   -------------                -------------
                                                                                      24,656,897                   25,049,969

  Goodwill and trademarks                                                             10,560,149                   10,514,047
  Patents, technology and licences, less accumulated amortization                      2,064,026                    2,111,865
  Intangible pension asset                                                             1,112,129                    1,112,129
  Prepaid pension cost                                                                 1,310,540                    1,338,010
                                                                                   =============                =============
      TOTAL ASSETS                                                                 $  75,989,076                $  76,132,537
                                                                                   =============                =============

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

  CURRENT LIABILITIES
  Accounts payable                                                                 $   4,757,756                $   3,838,412
  Accrued compensation                                                                 1,136,154                    1,923,463
  Other accrued expenses                                                               1,712,322                    2,015,979
  Current portion of long-term debt                                                    2,629,762                    2,628,664
                                                                                   -------------                -------------
  Total Current Liabilities                                                           10,235,994                   10,406,518
  -------------------------

  Deferred federal income taxes                                                          763,687                      737,987
  Long-term debt, less current portion                                                18,265,314                   18,920,747
  Accrued postretirement benefits                                                      2,596,552                    2,578,156
  Accrued rate swap obligation                                                         1,037,519                    1,138,086
  Accrued pension obligation                                                           4,448,197                    4,448,197

  Shareholders' Equity
  Preferred Stock, no par value
     Authorized shares - 2,000,000
     (No shares issued)
  Common Stock, no par value:
     Authorized Shares - 25,000,000
     Issued and outstanding shares:
       2003-3,629,360;  2002-3,631,869
       excluding 1,662,320 In 2003 and 1,657,320 shares held in treasury                 852,534                      883,695
  Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income:
      Foreign currency translation                                                      (720,879)                    (898,137)
      Additional minimum pension liability, net of taxes                              (4,073,870)                  (4,073,870)
      Derivative financial instruments, net of taxes                                    (622,519)                    (683,086)
      Unrealized holding gain on investment in common stock, net of taxes                 14,325                       35,893
                                                                                   -------------                -------------
                                                                                      (5,402,943)                  (5,619,200)

  Retained earnings                                                                   43,192,222                   42,638,351
                                                                                   -------------                -------------
     TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                       38,641,813                   37,902,846
                                                                                   -------------                -------------
     TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                    $  75,989,076                $  76,132,537
                                                                                   =============                =============


 See accompanying notes.
                             -2-




                      THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)




                                                                Three Months Ended
                                                    March 29, 2003            March 30, 2002
                                                    --------------            --------------
                                                                       
  Net sales                                         $  21,590,714             $  20,320,517

  Interest income                                          12,569                    13,215
                                                    -------------             -------------
                                                       21,603,283                20,333,732

  Cost of products sold                                16,091,179                15,210,958
                                                    -------------             -------------
                                                        5,512,104                 5,122,774

  Selling and administrative expenses                   3,819,453                 3,641,780

  Interest expense                                        346,519                   446,715
                                                    -------------             -------------
  INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                            1,346,132                 1,034,279

  Income taxes                                            392,755                   357,172
                                                    -------------             -------------

  NET INCOME                                        $     953,377             $     677,107
                                                    =============             =============


  Earnings per share:
     Basic                                              $     0.26                $     0.19
     Diluted                                            $     0.26                $     0.18

  Cash dividends per share                              $     0.11                $     0.11








 See accompanying notes.

                                       -3-







                      THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)



                                                                         Three Months Ended

                                                                 March 29, 2003           March 30, 2002
                                                                 --------------           --------------
                                                                                     
  OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
    Net income                                                    $   953,377               $   677,107
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
     cash provided by operating activities:
       Depreciation and amortization                                  908,383                   859,137
       Postretirement benefits other than pensions                     18,396                         -
       Provision for Doubtful Accounts                                 27,799                     3,919
       Issuance of Common Stock for directors' fees                    28,894                    20,284
       Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
         Accounts receivable                                         (571,406)                 (748,438)
         Inventories                                                  (93,250)                  792,056
         Prepaid expenses and other                                    79,824                  (177,216)
         Prepaid pension cost                                         207,470                    74,186
         Accounts payable                                             161,887                   147,153
         Other Accrued expenses                                      (194,126)                  537,196
         Other assets                                                 (39,479)                 (216,293)
                                                                  -----------               -----------
                NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES           1,487,769                 1,969,091

  INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
     Purchases of property, plant, and equipment                     (311,957)                 (122,400)
     Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired                            -                  (264,027)
                                                                  -----------               -----------
                NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES                (311,957)                 (386,427)

  FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    Principal payments on long-term debt                             (656,530)                 (803,775)
    Purchases of Common Stock for treasury                            (60,055)                        -
    Dividends paid                                                   (399,506)                 (399,210)
                                                                  -----------               -----------
               NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES               (1,116,091)               (1,202,985)

  Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                              11,153                    (9,554)
                                                                  -----------               -----------

  NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                              70,874                   370,125
  Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period                  5,939,232                 4,955,020
                                                                  -----------               -----------
  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD                      $ 6,010,106               $ 5,325,145
                                                                  ===========               ===========





                                       -4-






                THE EASTERN COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)





                                                                             Three Months Ended

                                                                March 29, 2003               March 30, 2002
                                                                --------------               --------------

                                                                                           
  Net income                                                      $  953,377                      $  677,107
  Other comprehensive income (loss)
     Currency translation                                            177,258                         248,344
     Change in fair value of derivative financial
       instruments, net of income tax benefit:
          2003 - ($40,000)
          2002 - ($74,000)                                            60,567                         110,578
     Unrealized holding loss on investment in common
       stock, net of income tax benefit of
          $14,300 and $19,500 respectively                           (21,568)                        (29,272)
                                                                  ----------                      ----------
  Comprehensive income                                            $1,169,634                      $1,006,757
                                                                  ==========                      ==========







                                       -5-





THE EASTERN COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 29, 2003


Note A - Basis of Presentation
- ------------------------------

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all
of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. Refer to the
Company's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in its
Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2002 for additional information.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited.
However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of
normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of
operations for interim periods have been reflected therein. Operating results
for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be
expected for the full year.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2003
presentation.

The condensed balance sheet as of December 28, 2002 has been derived from the
audited consolidated balance sheet at that date.



Note B - Earnings Per Share
- ---------------------------

The denominators used in the earnings per share computations follow:



                                                                THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                   March 29, 2003        March 30, 2002
                                                   --------------        --------------
                                                                     
  Basic:
     Weighted average shares outstanding             3,630,303              3,629,258
     Contingent shares outstanding                         --                     --
                                                     ---------              ---------
     Denominator for basic earnings per share        3,630,303              3,629,258
                                                     =========              =========

  Diluted:
     Weighted average shares outstanding             3,630,303              3,629,258
     Dilutive stock options                                --                 112,777
                                                     ---------              ---------
     Denominator for diluted earnings per share      3,630,303              3,742,035
                                                     =========              =========



Note C - Inventories
- --------------------

The components of inventories follow:



                                       March 29, 2003        December 28, 2002
                                       --------------        -----------------
                                                         
Raw materials and component parts       $  7,486,360            $  7,658,722
Work in process                            4,139,326               4,226,858
Finished goods                             4,543,558               4,649,077
                                        ------------            ------------
                                        $ 16,169,244            $ 16,534,657
                                        ============            ============

                                      -6-



THE EASTERN COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 29, 2003


Note D - Segment Information
- ----------------------------

Segment financial information follows:


                                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                         March 29, 2003         March 30, 2002
                                         --------------         --------------
                                                         
Revenues:
   Sales to unaffiliated customers:
      Industrial Hardware                $  8,605,204           $  6,897,070
      Security Products                     9,481,688              9,055,813
      Metal Products                        3,503,822              4,367,634
                                         ------------           ------------
                                           21,590,714             20,320,517
   General corporate                           12,569                 13,215
                                         ------------           ------------
                                         $ 21,603,283           $ 20,333,732
                                         ============           ============

Income Before Income Taxes:
   Industrial Hardware                   $  1,123,869           $    809,469
   Security Products                        1,069,774                911,167
   Metal Products                             144,575                248,579
                                         ------------           ------------
      Operating Profit                      2,338,218              1,969,215
   General corporate expenses                (645,567)              (488,221)
   Interest expense                          (346,519)              (446,715)
                                         ------------           ------------
                                         $  1,346,132           $  1,034,279
                                         ============           ============


Note E - Stock-Based Compensation
- ---------------------------------

 In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based
 Compensation - Transition and Disclosure" which addressed financial accounting
 and reporting for recording expenses for the fair value of stock options. SFAS
 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the
 fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation as
 originally provided by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation."
 Additionally, SFAS 148 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No.123 in
 both annual and interim financial statements. The interim disclosure provisions
 are effective for financial reports containing financial statements for interim
 periods beginning after December 15, 2002.

 The Company has elected to continue to account for stock options in accordance
 with Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock
 Issued to Employees. As such, it does not recognize compensation expense for
 stock options granted under its stock option plans if the exercise price is at
 least equal to the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date
 granted. Stock-based compensation costs for stock awards are reflected in net
 income over the awards' vesting period.

 Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share, as required
 by Statement No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", has been
 determined as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock options under
 the fair value method. The fair value of the stock options was estimated at the
 date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
 weighted-average assumptions:


                                       -7-






                                             March 29, 2003       March 30, 2002
                                             --------------       --------------
                                                              
  Risk free interest rate                         2.78%                  4.74%
  Expected volatility                             0.306                  0.310
  Expected option life                           5 years                5 years
  Weighted-average dividend yield                 3.1%                   3.1%


                                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                             March 29, 2003       March 30, 2002

  Net income, as reported                        $953,377             $677,107

  Deduct: Total stock-based employee
  -------
  compensation expense determined
  under fair value based method for all
  awards granted since July 19, 2000,
  net of related tax effects                      (12,873)             (14,505)

  Pro forma net income                           $940,504             $662,602

  Earnings per share:

  Basic-as reported                                 $0.26                $0.19
  Basic-pro forma                                   $0.26                $0.18

  Diluted-as reported                               $0.26                $0.18
  Diluted-pro forma                                 $0.26                $0.18



 For the purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the
 options is amortized to expense over the stock options' vesting period ranging
 from 1 to 5 years. The pro forma effect on net income and related earnings per
 share may not be representative of future years' impact since the terms and
 conditions of new grants may vary from the current terms.


ITEM 2                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
- ------                    FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
                                  OF OPERATIONS

The Company makes estimates and assumptions that may materially  affect reported
amounts  and  disclosures.   These  relate  to  valuation   allowances  for  the
collectibility of accounts  receivable and for excess and obsolete  inventories,
accruals for pensions and other  postretirement  benefits (including  forecasted
future cost increases and returns on plan assets),  provisions for  depreciation
(estimating useful lives), and, on occasion, accruals for contingent losses. The
Company is also subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause actual
results to differ from  estimated  results,  such as changes within our industry
segments, in the overall economy, competition, litigation and legislation.
Results of Operations

Net  income  for the  first  quarter  of 2003 was  $953,000  or $.26  per  share
(diluted)  on sales of $21.6  million  compared  to  $677,000  or $.18 per share
(diluted) on sales of $20.3 million in the first quarter of 2002.

Sales for the first  quarter 2003  increased 6% as compared to the same period a
year ago.  New  product  introductions  were up 8%,  while  volume  of  existing
products  decreased  2%. New product  sales  include  sleeper  boxes for Class 8
trailer trucks,  rotary locks,  luggage tags,  drawer slides and cable heads for
the mining industry.

                                      -8-


The  Industrial  Hardware  segment sales  increased 25% as compared to the first
quarter of 2002.  Sales  volume of existing  products  increased  3%,  while new
product  sales  increased  sales by 22%. New product  sales  include the sleeper
boxes for Class 8 trailer trucks and various other locking and latching hardware
for the utility  truck and  vehicular  accessory  markets.  Without the sales of
Canadian Commercial Vehicle Corporation, which sells the sleeper boxes for Class
8 trailer  trucks,  acquired in October 2002,  sales in the Industrial  Hardware
Segment would have increased 10% as compared to the first quarter of 2002. Heavy
hardware  sales to the  tractor-trailer  market  increased 58% from 2002 levels.
There  has  been  improved  activity  in this  market,  which  resulted  in some
increased production in 2002. Management believes sales of heavy hardware to the
trailer  industry will continue to improve  throughout 2003. Sales of industrial
hardware,  such as rotary locks, slam latches and multi-point  paddle handles to
original  equipment  manufacturers  and  distributors was up approximately 3% as
compared to the first quarter of 2002. Sales of automotive accessories,  such as
toolbox locks, push-button locks and rotary latches increased 5% and is expected
to show continued  improvement  through 2003.  Sales of school bus door closures
increased 20% as compared to the same period a year ago. The Company anticipates
continued sales  improvement in the Industrial  Hardware segment  throughout the
year 2003.

The Security Products  segment's sales increased 5% in the first quarter 2003 as
compared  to the first  quarter of 2002.  Sales of new  products  were up 2% and
volume of existing  products was up 3%. The volume increase was primarily due to
gains in market share from  competitors and improved  activities in the computer
industry.  Sales of locks to the travel  industries were down 50% as compared to
the first  quarter  of 2002.  The  travel  industry  continues  to be  adversely
affected in the wake of September 11th terrorist  attack and by general economic
conditions.  Sales of new  products  included  the new  luggage  tags and drawer
slides.  Sales of security products to the commercial laundry industry increased
3% as  compared  to the first  quarter  of 2002.  Sales of Smart  Card  products
continue to increase over prior year levels  offsetting  declines in some of the
more mature product lines.  The Company  expects sales in the Security  Products
segment to continue to improve throughout 2003.

In the Metal  Products  segment,  sales  were down 20% from the  previous  year.
Volume of existing products dropped 21%, while new product sales increased sales
1%.  Current year sales for contract  castings were down 38% from the comparable
period in 2002. The decrease in the contract  casting business was the result of
the Company's  decision to de-emphasize  this line of business  beginning in the
third quarter of 2002.  Sales of mine roof support anchors were down 7% compared
to the  same  period a year  ago.  Competition  from  suppliers  of  alternative
products contributed to the reduced level of sales in the first quarter of 2003.
The Company  continues  to look at new  manufacturing  methods  and  alternative
products to remain competitive in this industry. Sales in 2003 will be less than
that reported in 2002 as the Company  continues to move away from the production
and sale of low margin contract castings.

Gross margin as a percentage of sales for the three months ended March 29,
2003 was 25% which is comparable to the same period a year ago.

Selling and administrative expenses were up 5% or $178 thousand for the first
quarter of 2003 as compared to the same period a year ago. The higher selling
and administrative expenses are due to increased pension expenses.

Interest expense for the first quarter of 2003 was down 22% or $100 thousand
as compared to the first quarter of 2002. The decrease in interest expense was
due to the lower debt and lower interest rates.

Earnings before income taxes for the first quarter of 2003 increased 30% or
$312 thousand as compared to the first quarter of 2002. The Industrial
Hardware segment earnings increased 39% or $314 thousand for 3 months as
compared to the same period a year ago. The increase was the direct result of
the additional earnings derived from the Canadian Commercial Vehicles
Corporation, a company acquired in October 2002. Increased sales volume of
industrial and transportation hardware reflecting greater utilization of
production facilities also contributed to the increase. The Security Products
segment earnings before income taxes for the three months ended March 29, 2003
were up 17% or $160 thousand as compared to the first quarter of 2002. This
increase was the result of
                                       -9-




  increased sales volume from our various lock products. The Metal Products
  segment earnings were down 42% or $104 thousand compared to the first quarter
  of 2002. The decrease was due to lower sales of mine roof expansion anchors as
  well as reduced contract casting sales.

  Liquidity and Sources of Capital

  Cash flows from operations were $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2003 as
  compared to $2.0 million for the same period in 2002. The change in cash flows
  resulted from the associated timing differences for collections of accounts
  receivable, payments of liabilities and changes in inventories. Cash flow from
  operations coupled with cash on hand at the beginning of the first quarter of
  2003 was sufficient to fund capital expenditures, debt service and dividend
  payments.

  Additions to property, plant and equipment were $311 thousand during the first
  quarter of 2003 versus $386 thousand for the comparable period a year ago.
  Total 2003 capital expenditures are expected to approximate $1.5 million to
  $2.5 million.

  Total inventories as of March 29, 2003 were $16.2 million as compared to the
  $16.5 million level as of fiscal year-end December 28, 2002. The inventory
  turnover ratio of 4.0 turns at the end of the first quarter was better than
  the year end ratio of 3.7 turns and the 3.4 turns experienced in the first
  quarter of 2002. Accounts receivable increased by $571 thousand from year-end
  2002, primarily due to increased sales volume compared to the fourth quarter
  of 2002. The average day's sales in accounts receivable for the first quarter
  of 2003 was 47 days compared to year-end 2002 of 48 days and the first quarter
  of 2002 of 52 days.

  Cash flow from operating activities and funds available under the revolving
  credit portion of the Company's loan agreement should be sufficient to cover
  future foreseeable working capital requirements.

  Forward-Looking Information

  The preceding information contains forward looking statements which
  reflect the Company's current expectations regarding its future operating
  performance and achievements and is subject to certain risks and uncertainties
  that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in
  such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include changing customer
  preferences, lack of success of new products, loss of customers, competition,
  increased raw material prices and problems associated with foreign sourcing of
  parts and products. The Company is not obligated to update or revise the
  aforementioned statements for new developments


ITEM 3            QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
- ------            ----------------------------------------------------------

  There have been no material changes in market risk from what was reported in
the 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 4            CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
- ------            -----------------------

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Within the 90 days prior to the date of this report, the Company carried out an
evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's
management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's
disclosure controls and procedures. The Company's disclosure controls and
procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by
the Company in its periodic SEC filings is recorded, processed and reported
within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms.

                                      -10-



Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are
effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the
Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the
Company's periodic SEC filings.

Changes in Internal Controls

There were no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other
factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of
their evaluation.


PART II
                                OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1            LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
- ------            -----------------

                  There are no significant pending legal proceedings, other than
ordinary routine litigation incidental to the Company's business, to which
either the Registrant or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of
their property is the subject.


ITEM 2            CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
- ------            -----------------------------------------
                  None


ITEM 3            DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
- ------            -------------------------------
                  None


ITEM 4            SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
- ------            ---------------------------------------------------
                  The Registrant held its Annual Meeting of the Stockholders at
The Eastern Company, Naugatuck, Connecticut on Wednesday, the twenty-third day
of April 2003. The matters voted on and the voting results were:





                                        FOR            AGAINST          ABSTENTION
                                                               
1)   Election of two directors
     for a three-year term
     expiring in the year 2006.

     David C. Robinson               3,061,375         45,456
     Donald S. Tuttle III            3,061,316         45,515

    Continuing Directors:
      John W. Everets
      Leonard F. Leganza
      Charles W. Henry


2)    Appointment of Ernst &
      Young LLP as
      independent auditors:          3,075,975         13,491             17,362



ITEM 5            OTHER INFORMATION
- ------            -----------------
                  None


                                      -11-


ITEM 6            EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
- -------           --------------------------------

                  (a) 99(1) The Registrants' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                      fiscal year ended December 28, 2002 is incorporated herein
                      by reference.

                      99(2) Certifications pursuant to Rule 13a-14 or Rule
                      15d-14 and 18 USC 1350 as adopted pursuant to the
                      Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

                  (b) None


                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                        THE EASTERN COMPANY
                                        (Registrant)


DATE:  May 13, 2003                     /s/Leonard F. Leganza
       ------------                     ---------------------
                                        Leonard F. Leganza
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer



DATE:  May 13, 2003                     /s/John L. Sullivan, III
       ------------                     ------------------------
                                        John L. Sullivan III
                                        Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer

















                                      -12-