Strange find in a piano

Don’t know if you can make these out but there are strange staples on two out of the three strings per note.  Just about all of the “tri chord” notes on the piano had these.  I remember seeing these at a guild meeting but never tuned a piano with them on.  I have to say I didn’t like it.  It muted the tone greatly.  I believe they are called “pitch locks”  When I asked the owner if he knew these were on his piano he had no idea.  Not very honest sales people I am afraid.