Old fashioned lock

[dressage]

HELP! I don't know a thing about picking locks, and I've just locked myself out of an antique desk, which did not come with a key when I bought it. Can someone direct me to who might be able to help me unlock it? I could jimmy it, of course, but I'd destroy it in the process. I've tried some old keys to other desks I have, but they won't work. I live in the Atlanta, GA area.

[UnLock]

I'm a little confused. How on earth did you lock yourself out of the desk when you didn't have a key for it? Were you trying to pick it to a locked position and now can't pick it open?

[almightyares]

Maybe the lock was not needed to be picked to close. I had a girl come into my work today with the same problem, she "picked" the lock to the lock position. When I picked it open, I found that you didnt need to pick it again to close the latch, just insert any object that will turn the plug.

[UnLock]

she "picked" the lock to the lock position. When I picked it open, I found that you didnt need to pick it again to close the latch, just insert any object that will turn the plug.

If the lock didn't have to be picked to close, why was she picking it? If turning the plug was all that was needed to lock it, I don't understand what she was doing with the pick. Once she put the tension wrench in there I would assume the plug would turn...no?

Maybe you're right...maybe Dressage has the same type of lock. Hopefully he'll let us know.

[Dark Angel]

HELP! I don't know a thing about picking locks, and I've just locked myself out of an antique desk, which did not come with a key when I bought it. Can someone direct me to who might be able to help me unlock it? I could jimmy it, of course, but I'd destroy it in the process. I've tried some old keys to other desks I have, but they won't work. I live in the Atlanta, GA area.

If the lock is on a antique desk then it should be a warded type lock if this is the case you can get yourself a set of warded picks for about $10,these should have it open in no time.You could open it with a wire pick as well,if you new what you was doing.There is a picture of the warded pick set at the top of the main page,the fourth picture in,with links written on it.

[Dark Angel]

I did a quick search,and found that you can buy replacment locks for antique desks as well as skeleton keys to fit the locks.
http://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/rehdw_lock.htm

[dressage]

Thanks for all the info folks, I may have to buy the warded pick set and try to use it to open the lock. One/Some of you asked how the lock got that way when I didn't have a key... I guess I was having a dumb blond moment... I was playing around with another key that I have, and accidently turned it... it pushes the lock into the lock position, but does not turn it back... bad way to find out, I know.

[dressage]

OH, yeah, I forgot to tell you what kind of lock it has... The key that I used to lock it, is the old fasioned looking skeleton key. The barrel is hollow, with a small square piece right below the tip. When I look into the opening of the lock, at the top, I can see a pin that protrudes inside it, which the hollow barrel of the key would accept, then below it is a round depression, that the small square piece below the tip of the key would fit into. I've used other keys that will open different locks on some of my antique furniture, and what I've noticed is that different keys, while they may not be the correct key for the lock, will close the lock, but unless it's the correct key, they won't open the lock. Not knowing anything about locks, I would think that if the key didn't go to the lock, not only would it not open the lock, but it should not close the lock either... but like I said, I know nothing about locks. Anywho, thanks for everyone's advise!

[scientist]

Locks can be designed to do alot of silly things....I once had a lock that the key could be removed in just about any position (lots and lots of secondary pins...), it was made that way for adjustment purposes.

Alot of times the lock will only need a half turn to unlock, and so by making it static they save on time and money by having to drill a second set of holes and adding pins and the like. Kind of silly that the key could be removed at that point, but still...

-sCi

[Chucklz]

What, may I ask, is the age of this desk? And, do you know its country of origin?

[dressage]

It's an oak drop leaf desk, meaning the writing part folds up to essentially close the desk, and the lock is at the top. I would expect it to have been made around the late 1900's

Thanks

Suzanne

[Chucklz]

I don't know if the warded pickset would be the best option here. It may work, but there is a fair degree of probability that it will not. Here are some auctions for old furniture keys I found rather quickly
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 51531&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 86181&rd=1

These may be more useful to you in general. You may also want to find the oldest locksmith in your area (oldest shop that is, not necessarily an octagenarian...... although one would be most likely to be helpful) and ask them. They may have a good selection of "try out " keys for older funiture.

Finally, you may want to try making your own warded lock pick. Get a few inches of strong wire(think coat hanger) and bend it to look like this o__| The O is for you to hold on to. Keep the "arm" of the L (the shorter bit) to about the same scale as a key that you have that fits in to the lock.

[Ice]

...it never ceases to amaze me what you can find on eBay!!

Anyways, for bending wire I suggest a good pair of pliers. I've seen and tried to bend coat hangar wire and it was never a clean bend. Same goes for most wires - bending over the corner of a desk/counter/etc works, but never as well as a good set of pliers!

Finally, you may want to try making your own warded lock pick. Get a few inches of strong wire(think coat hanger) and bend it to look like this o__|