Identifying German Trunk lock (clasp?)

[thomaswilde]

Hello,

I've spent about two hours on this site searching for any helpful info on this lock, but haven't been successful yet. I'm not actually looking to pick the lock (because I'm pants at lock picking - don't have the patience) but I did just purchase this trunk and want to get a replacement key for it. Any identifying help would be extremely appreciated.

So far what I can tell is it's a wooden German-made suitcase/trunk, and it only has these two clasp lock things. I thought they were Cheney locks, but I think I'm wrong. The keyhole is about the width of a dime, and the top bit of it swivels, though I don't know what purpose that has. I don't want to destroy the locks, so I'm a bit hesitant to try to open them. I just wish to identify it, so I can purchase replacement keys. The original owner of the trunk is looking for a key, but I doubt I'll get one from him.

Thank you in advance for suggestions!





*I also apologise for my terminology, I tried reading through several pdfs on lock parts and naming vocabulary and ended up even more muddled.

[femurat]

Well, if you're not into lockpicking I won't tell you about impressioning a flat piece of brass... so your best option might be to take the trunk itself to an antique store and look for a key, maybe they have one that fits the lock, and it may even turn... or you can go to a local locksmith who could open the locks for a small fee and make a key for you.

Good luck

[thomaswilde]

I've read about that, I think. Get a thin enough piece of brass to fit in, and put putty on it (or hold it over a candle?) so the inner lock marks are visible when I try to turn it? I may end up trying that, just to get an idea of what shape I'm looking for, or see if I can find a place to cut the key to those impressions.

I don't have a car, so it's a bit big to be lugging around to the shops, else I definitely would. And the locksmiths here said 'yeah, we can pick it, it'll be $90'.

Seems a bit silly to pay more than twice the cost of it just to open it.

Could you tell me about the impression thing? Is it possible to make an impression and take it somewhere to get cut? Sorry for the simple questions.

[femurat]

$90 to pick that lock? I can't believe that! I was thinking something like $20...

Try to avoid putty, you don't want such a sticky thing in your locks. It's better to hold it over a candle
You should file your key one stroke at a time, and continue to test it to check where you have to file. You end up with a hand shaped key.
There's a nice tutorial about impressioning in the FAQ area, let me google it for you... here it is viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1396
Just a warning: don't expect to finish your project in one hour!

Cheers

[thomaswilde]

Ah, you are brilliant, thank you! And yes I thought the $90 was ridiculous as well. It's not exactly a safe with a complicated lock.

I don't know what half of those things are on the materials list, but it'll make for a good read. Maybe if I can get a good impression though, I'll be able to identify a key that I can purchase online. If not, this will now be a summer project.

Cheers!

And if anyone else recognises the lock and can let me know, that would be very helpful as well.

[valeguy]

You could email an antique trunk shop with a picture and ask them to help you identify the exact trunk, and maybe they can help?

[thomaswilde]

Great minds think alike, Valeguy! So far though the shops I've tried either don't know it, or haven't responded. I'll keep searching around though.

[thomaswilde]

Solved!

And I'm laughing at myself because it was so deceptively simple. I think the lock mechanism itself is actually broken, but it really should not have taken me this long to figure out. I just had to put my thumb against the edge of the raised key hole bit (in between that and the clasp) and push outwards.

Some days I think I should not be allowed out in public.

Thank you all for your help!