Lock Picking 101 Forum
A community dedicated to the fun and ethical hobby of lock picking.
       

Lock Picking 101 Home
Login
Profile
Members
Forum Rules
Frequent Forum Questions
SEARCH
View New Posts
View Active Topics


Live Chat on Discord
LP101 Forum Chat
Keypicking Forum Chat
Reddit r/lockpicking Chat



Learn How to Pick Locks
FAQs & General Questions
Got Beginner Questions?
Pick-Fu [Intermediate Level]


Ask a Locksmith
This Old Lock
This Old Safe
What Lock Should I Buy?



Hardware
Locks
Lock Patents
Lock Picks
Lock Bumping
Lock Impressioning
Lock Pick Guns, Snappers
European Locks & Picks
The Machine Shop
The Open Source Lock
Handcuffs


Member Spotlight
Member Introductions
Member Lock Collections
Member Social Media


Off Topic
General Chatter
Other Puzzles


Locksmith Business Info
Training & Licensing
Running a Business
Keyways & Key Blanks
Key Machines
Master Keyed Systems
Closers and Crash Bars
Life Safety Compliance
Electronic Locks & Access
Locksmith Supplies
Locksmith Lounge


Buy Sell Trade
Buy - Sell - Trade
It came from Ebay!


Advanced Topics
Membership Information
Special Access Required:
High Security Locks
Vending Locks
Advanced Lock Pick Tools
Bypass Techniques
Safes & Safe Locks
Automotive Entry & Tools
Advanced Buy/Sell/Trade


Locksport Groups
Locksport Local
Chapter President's Office
Locksport Board Room
 

Chubb wall safe picking

Need help fixing or installing a lock? We welcome questions from the public here! Sorry, no automotive questions, please.
Forum rules
WE DO NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE OR MOTORCYCLE LOCKS OR IGNITIONS ON THIS FORUM. THIS INCLUDES QUESTIONS ABOUT PICKING, PROGRAMMING, OR TAKING APART DOOR OR IGNITION LOCKS,

Chubb wall safe picking

Postby Bruce3000 » 19 Mar 2026 4:21

Hi,

When I moved into my house 3 years ago, there was a wall safe present but no keys. I've slowly been attempting to pick it to no avail. It's dimensions are roughly 10cm high by 20cm wide (see pic for relative size to my hand).

My recent progress was buying an endo/boroscope to have a look inside (spoiler: it's empty), and this is where I identified it as being a Chubb (see photos). It appears like it could be a standard 3 lever mortice lock but I haven't had any luck with a 2 in 1 lever tool - I also had to grind down the pick so it could fit through the keyhole which is extremely small. Weirdly, the keyhole entrance seems to have some sort of collar which jiggles with a little bit of movement when I poke it, but otherwise doesn't seem to turn in conjunction with the levers etc. Could be nothing but thought I'd mention.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of safe/lock and able to offer words of wisdom? I am able to apply pressure on what I think is the bolt thrower with the 2 in 1 tool. Subsequently lifting what I feel to be 3 levers gives some inconsistent but encouraging clicks as it should, like I am lifting and holding the levers in place with my tension on the bolt thrower.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

An update: I used the boroscope to try and see what was going on as a I was lifting the levers and something strange was observed. When lifting the lever furthest from the camera, it seems to curl round and the right most part of it enters the camera shot at the bottom of the lock. I've never seen this before or a lever that "curls around". Here's a video of it: https://gifyu.com/image/bmQ2r. Any thoughts? I've no idea why it would be designed like this or it's purpose. All the other mortice lock levers I've seen look like this: https://share.google/6nxOGJsX4qyDo89Y5.

When I lift the remaining levers nothing enters the shot from the bottom of the lock, not like the first one
Bruce3000
 
Posts: 3
Joined: 19 Mar 2026 4:13

Re: Chubb wall safe picking

Postby GWiens2001 » 19 Mar 2026 6:50

That is normal on a Chubb safe, as well as on a Chubb Battleship padlock. It is an anti-picking feature, locking the key/pick in place so it can't be shifted to a new location in the keyway.

if you look at this post, the first picture is of a Chubb Battleship cutaway. On the right side you can see the lever that sticks down low and points towards the keyway. That is the lever you are talking about that blocks off part of the keyway. Thanks to Ratlock for the picture he posted in that post.

Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
User avatar
GWiens2001
Site Admin
 
Posts: 7644
Joined: 3 Sep 2012 16:24
Location: Arizona, United States

Re: Chubb wall safe picking

Postby Bruce3000 » 19 Mar 2026 7:50

Oh, unfortunately I can't seem to view those pictures, something about my geographic region. I'll try and Google a picture. Are you able to explain to me how this is anti-pick and whether or not this is likely to be preventing me from successfully picking the lock using the 2 in 1 tool?
Bruce3000
 
Posts: 3
Joined: 19 Mar 2026 4:13

Re: Chubb wall safe picking

Postby Bruce3000 » 19 Mar 2026 9:09

Ok I've done some reading and it appears the monitor levers purpose is mostly to remain in the way of a half-picked lock to prevent a valid key from being entered? It doesn't seem like it should prevent or hinder picking of the lock in any traditional sense. Perhaps my difficulties might be related to false gates or other anti-pick mechanisms?
Bruce3000
 
Posts: 3
Joined: 19 Mar 2026 4:13


Return to This Old Lock

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests