Help Identifying a Lock

[Poor Man]

Hey please excuse my lack of knowledge and terms. I'm really new to this.

I'm in the process of trying to get into a lock that my wife got from work.

It's a very large leather briefcase. I've tried what I assumed would work with bobby pins, pliers, and eventually a few mangled forks. I've tried searching for a ton of briefcases to try to ID the lock hoping I could get some more info, but no luck.

So here I am. Hoping to identify the lock, so I can further my search into getting into it.



Her employer told her not worry about locking it, and unfortunately it was the first thing she did. I have a sneaking suspicion that he doesn't have a key.



It also seems like it's been tinkered with before, because I don't think that those 2 holes on either side of the keyhole are supposed to be exposed.

Anyways, any info is very helpful!

[Squelchtone]

[EDIT: Moved from Ask beginner Hobby Lockpicking Questions to This Old Lock]

The 2 slots on either side of the keyway were probably for push buttons one would press once the key was turned. Have you tried sticking something into those 2 holes at the same time and pushing the metal plate inside upwards?

[Poor Man]

Ah there is a definately a lever crossing the two holes. It can be pushed down and I hear a release from it.

I tried turning metal plate inside upwards, but no luck. I'm guessing there is another lever somewhere I need to touch while I'm applying pressure to this lower lever?

[Poor Man]

Sorry I just reread your question.

There is a lever under the plate that seems to be placing pressure upwards. When I force the lever down, the plate becomes a bit loose. It doesn't drop, and I can't force it in any direction unfortunately.

I was hearing a noise that I thought was a release, but I'm starting to think it was just the metal plate moving once I put downwards pressure on the lever.

Disregard what I said about turning the plate in any direction.

[tpark]

Try pushing up on both sides at the same time - I suspect that there was a bar that you pressed on to open the case. also, try pulling both sides down simultaneously.