Shaw Walker fireproof filing cabinet lock problem

[Paullama1]

I have a vintage Shaw Walker 4 drawer fireproof filing cabinet on my ranch.
The locking mechanism is a dial combination lock on the center of the top drawer. I have the combination and it unlocks and works fine, It also has an oval push button rail lock on cabinet front left It’s solid front not keyed.

The rail lock has never been pushed in and locked and the file cabinet has always been accessible using the combination lock. Somehow the push button rail lock got pressed in. I can no longer access using the combination lock. I can feel the drawers come out a little further but it won’t open. How do I get the rail lock to pop out so I can get in.

Thanks Chis

[billdeserthills]

This is cool, I can't tell you how many of these openings I do--plus once I get the file open folks will also want me to make them keys for this lock. Most of these file cabinet locks have a key code stamped into their face

[demux]

As Bill said, if there's a key code stamped on the front of your lock that's your best bet. Google that code and the word key and you may find a furniture dealer that sells those keys pre-cut, usually in the $10-$15 range. If you've got a brick and mortar locksmith in your area you should be able to bring the code in to him and get the same thing, probably for a bit less. If it's a common key you might even find someone selling one on eBay, etc. There's not nearly as much security in those furniture/cabinet locks as people think. Many use a common key, and the ones that have different keys often have a master you can get that opens the whole section. If you have a Steelcase S100 key for example, you can probably open up close to half of the vertical file cabinets you're likely to run into.

[nothumbs]

I may of misread the OP's post, but it seems that they are saying the push button does not have a keyhole, that it is 'solid'.

[Squelchtone]

A close up photo of your oval push button as well as a photo of the entire file cabinet would be very helpful in us giving you advice.

Here are instructions for including a photo in your posting here

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic ... 10#p445410

Thank you,
Squelchtone

[mastersmith]

Does the top drawer open still? It seems to me that I recall one of these, a lifetime ago, that could be unlocked once the top drawer was open. From inside the cabinet. But it was a long time ago, so I'm half guessing.

[Safecrackin Sammy]

Try lifting the front of the cabinet up a few inches and drop it. Watch your feet. The plunger lock is probably just jammed from years of non use and the caustic effect of the fireproofing material.

[Squelchtone]

Can't get this to display correctly, so one will need to click on the link, but is this what the 'button' looks like on your cabinet?



And is this the model of the cabinet in question?

[cledry]

Lift up the orange thing and the chrome bar should swing open. It looks like the chrome bar has been dented at the top, you might need to get a big screwdriver in that and straighten it first.

[Paullama1]

Thanks guys for all your replies. Nothumbs it looks like your second picture, only it has a combination lock dial in the center of the top drawer, has no locking rail on right side front, and the push button with no key is on the left side of the cabinet as you have pictured. I appreciate all the help guys. I’m a rancher and can do anything but this is out of my league.

[Squelchtone]

Thanks guys for all your replies. Nothumbs it looks like your second picture, only it has a combination lock dial in the center of the top drawer, has no locking rail on right side front, and the push button with no key is on the left side of the cabinet as you have pictured. I appreciate all the help guys. I’m a rancher and can do anything but this is out of my league.

hammer and chisel that button and see if it will pop back out. otherwise, drill it out.

that "button" should be a keyed cylinder like this. you sure there isnt something over the keyhole?


another angle of this style file cabinet:


good luck!
Squelchtone

[Paullama1]

This is what it looks like

[Paullama1]

This is the button on the left hand side not keyed

[nothumbs]

A few ideas:

Some lubrication around the button, let it sit for a day then try minor encouragement to get it to pop back out. From the photos it looks aged, and I know how that can feel; a little encouragement often helps.

Can't tell from the closeup but is there a swivel-able cover over the entire button or over just the Yale portion?

Just some idle thoughts.

[Paullama1]

Thanks, I’ll give it a shot and see if it frees up. This is a solid metal push button, no cover. It might be to securely latch for transport of the cabinet