Need help to open an old trunk pls

[prody]

Hello everybody,

I found this forum and the information in here seems really interesting and useful, but I still have a hard time opening an old trunk (maybe because I have no experience in lockpicking).

I've bought it on ebay (in Belgium) and it came without a key.

I did a lot of internet search and finally found the original patent document, piblished in 1952 in England. It includes a whole page with a rather complicated blueprint, that somebody more experienced might understand better than me.

This is the link where you can read the pdf document, if you want to check ot out:

http://www.directorypatent.com/GB/672561-a.html

I don't know how to open the trunk without a key and without breaking the lock.

Could somebody please give me some advice? It would be so nice to finally open it... Any idea is more than welcome.

Thank you for your time.

[Squelchtone]

Please take a photo of the trunk and then a close up of the locking strap and key hole, this will help us more than that PDF in the patents section.

Not sure where you are located, but a local locksmith shop may have some lever lock keys for sale that will fit into this trunk lock and open it on the first try. Some of these locks had a key code stamped on the lock somewhere, are there any such numbers?

ebay sometimes has these keys available as well, but there are many to choose from so let's take a look at it first and then we can go hunting for a key.

please upload any photos to http://imgur.com/ or http://tinypic.com and then Paste the link here.

Looking forward to seeing the photos, thanks
Squelchtone

[prody]

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=i4353b&s=8#.VdGzQMRXerV

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2lbztxs&s=8#.VdGz5cRXerU

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2nivdbk&s=8#.VdG0Y8RXerU

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=1zm1202&s=8#.VdG0pMRXerU

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2mrei46&s=8#.VdG06cRXerU

Here are some pictures.

The only numbers that are on the lock are those of the patent, this is how I managed to find the original document online.

I live in Belgium. I've already asked a locksmith if there was any chance to find the key based on the patent number, and he said "no way".

Behind the part where a key should fit, in the back of the lock, there is some kind of metal spring.

The original color of the trunk is blue, it is a "Victor Luggage - Made in England", but it was repainted white by those from whom I bought it on ebay.

Thank you so much for your time!

[Squelchtone]

So the one thing I remember about steamer trunks is that they are like old safes. One company made the body, and another company made the lock. so your trunk may be a Victor, but the lock may be an Excelsior or Yale, or some other brand.

Your lock was originally brass, but someone painted it.. under that paint *should* be the key code stamped near the bottom hinge, it may be worth while to try to look for it or use some solvent to remove the purple paint to see the brass again.

The key code an often help ID which brand / manufacture that lock was and which key will fit.

Look at this link, and it may be a good idea to email the man who runs that site as well with the photos you showed us here, he knows more about this stuff: http://www.brettunsvillage.com/trunks/h ... runks.html

This page is very helpful as well, take a look, and this is another company you may want to contact for more help: http://www.stevensantiquetrunks.com/trunklocks.html

example of a key code near the hinge on another model steamer trunk lock: http://i.imgur.com/TgQksO2.jpg

Let us know if you find any kind of code anywhere on that entire lock assembly under the paint. code should be like "901" or "930" etc.