Need Help Opening a Lock

[swapsafari]

Hello All,
I am a new member on this forum. We just accidentally locked a shelf on an old table that we don't have a key for. Just wanted to know if there is a way we can open it ourselves? Link to the picture of the how the lock looks life. Just to add some information, we rent this place furnished so the table belongs to the Land lady and we didn't want to mess it up by trying too hard.

Appreciate your help!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/v2ciit487izvv ... 20Lock.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6pmhm2ec8wh9n ... wnload.jpg

[phrygianradar]

How on earth did you accidentally lock that lock? In any case, I would inform your land lady and not mess with it if it and the contents aren't yours...

[swapsafari]

I guess my wife just flipped back the shelf to clean underneath it and it was locked. Looks like it must be like a latch mechanism where you don't need a key to lock but do need one to open.

The contents are all ours. We have never bother to close that shelf except the other day when my wife was trying to clean. The land lady thinks the key must have been inside the locked area. She gave us the liberty to try opening if we can. Its an old wood table with shelf on top.

[phrygianradar]

That makes sense, I have seen latches like that before. I have one of those old antique wooden chests like the one in your picture. Many times they can be opened with a very simple furniture key. That one is a barrel key. Those sorts of locks aren't my specialty but you might try making an "L" shaped mock key with a piece of hard wire, like baling wire and trying to turn it just as you would the original key. You can use that to feel for the lever. If you are lucky there will only be one lever that needs to be turned. That is what I would try. Whatever you do, don't force things. The last thing you want is a piece of broken wire in there as well. I'm sure somebody else will chime in and either correct me, or add something useful to help.

Let us know how things go. Good luck!

[Squelchtone]

[ADMIN EDIT: I have moved this from Got Questions (meant for hobby pickers) to Ask A Locksmith - Questions from the Public - This Old Lock sub forum. -Squelchtone] ... which reminds me I have to finish renaming the old areas so they are more intuitive and better organized for new members.

Good luck with your lock, I'm sure one of our in house experts will be able to give you good advice on opening it.
Squelchtone

[keysman]

...That one is a barrel key. Those sorts of locks aren't my specialty but you might try making an "L" shaped mock key with a piece of hard wire, like baling wire and trying to turn it just as you would the original key. You can use that to feel for the lever. If you are lucky there will only be one lever that needs to be turned. That is what I would try. Whatever you do, don't force things. The last thing you want is a piece of broken wire in there as well. ...

You might try your local antique dealer they may have a key that will work, otherwise the above advise is good except you will probably need something less flexible than bailing wire.

[smokingman]

From that picture it looks like one of those cheap handcuffs like kids buy at the flea markets key would fit.
They are slightly larger than standard cuff keys.
I have one in my tools because so many old desks and cabinets take them.
I also got a lot of calls to free the kids (and adults) from them when they would play with the cuffs and lose the key.
If you cant find the key and cannot open it you might try one of those keys.
The cuffs sel for a couple of dollars at many stores toy section.
As stated though a stiff piece of wire in a horizontal "L" shape should do it.

[phrygianradar]

From that picture it looks like one of those cheap handcuffs like kids buy at the flea markets key would fit.
They are slightly larger than standard cuff keys.
I have one in my tools because so many old desks and cabinets take them.
I also got a lot of calls to free the kids (and adults) from them when they would play with the cuffs and lose the key.
If you cant find the key and cannot open it you might try one of those keys.
The cuffs sel for a couple of dollars at many stores toy section.
As stated though a stiff piece of wire in a horizontal "L" shape should do it.

It is funny that you wrote that, I had one of those cheap set of handcuffs I got from Knotts Berry Farm when I was a kid. That key would open and lock all sorts of furniture! I was going to mention it, but didn't think anyone would know what the heck I was talking about! I wish I knew where that key was anymore...

[smokingman]

Slow I know, but I found the brand name, it is Valor, and the keys
can be had separately on e-bay and at some other stores on the web.
As stated they will work for most roll top desks and many other furnitures.
Here is what they look like.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v341/ ... uffkey.jpg

[phrygianradar]

Yep,that's them alright! At least I can get another set, thank you for that.