Antique German Safe

by **Pinkseahorse** » 25 Jan 2015 20:38

I have an antique german safe that was passed down. Unfortnuately, the key is missing.Is there any kind souls that would give me some advice on how to open this safe without spoiling the exterior?
I contacted a locksmith who suggested to saw away the "locking device" to open up the safe before restoring it back in.. something that I wish to avoid if possible.

Here are some photos on it.

by **GWiens2001** » 25 Jan 2015 20:49

We can't really help you to open a safe outside of the advanced forums. But you really should find another locksmith. Either picking or impressioning a key for that lock is something a decent locksmith should be able to do. There should be no need to saw open the lock unless the lock is damaged.

But would love to see the inside of that safe when you get it open. Please keep us informed!

Gordon

by **Pinkseahorse** » 25 Jan 2015 20:57

Hi there! Thanks for your reply.
Well, we tried getting other locksmiths who went "missing" upon seeing the safe, hence took it upon our own to pick at that, but obviously have been very unsuccessful given our almost zilch knowledge in this area. We thought if there is any others who have a similar safe who could share with us what sort of key it could possibly be.

We are eager to see what's in there too!

by **GWiens2001** » 25 Jan 2015 21:02

It is a lever lock, with a barrel type key. Do a search here on picking lever locks, and to see some really nice handmade barrel keys, look for Lauren and his thread on barrel keys.

Gordon

by **Pinkseahorse** » 25 Jan 2015 21:08

Thank you Gordon!

I think that is the best option for now rather than to pay $5000 to have it sawed and restored back

by **billdeserthills** » 25 Jan 2015 23:01

I was looking at your 3rd pic, of the actual keyway of your safe lock. I think I can see tumblers around the barrel portion in the lock, and it looks to me like a Bramah Lock.
If so, it is likely one of the toughest locks to pick, and are still made today, I believe.

by **GWiens2001** » 25 Jan 2015 23:12

Blowing up the picture, that looks like grease in the keyway. The levers in a Bramah look like this in the keyway...

Pic from my collection. The levers around the keyway of a Bramah are quite distinct.

Gordon

by **billdeserthills** » 26 Jan 2015 0:20

billdeserthills wrote:I was looking at your 3rd pic, of the actual keyway of your safe lock. I think I can see tumblers around the barrel portion in the lock, and it looks to me like a Bramah Lock.
If so, it is likely one of the toughest locks to pick, and are still made today, I believe.

I guess You are correct Gordon, I think the safe will be tough to open with the barrel key pin guide missing

by **Pinkseahorse** » 26 Jan 2015 20:21

Oh man, thank you all for the replies! It was really helpful!

Do you think I could go down to a key maker and request for a barrel key, of which I could possibly count how many "indents" are there?

by **GWiens2001** » 26 Jan 2015 20:32

The number of cuts in the key will vary from lock to lock. If you can take your picture down to a locksmith, he should be able to find a blank for you that will fit the lock. Then if you do a search for 'impressioning lever locks', you should find a number of threads here that will explain the process of making a key.

Here is a thread on impressioning a lever lock. There are more threads around the forum.

If Billdeserthills is correct and the center post is broken off (don't think it is, but it may be), then it is still not that difficult. You just cut the tip to fit into the hole left from the post. But think the post is still there from your picture.

Gordon

by **averagejoe** » 27 Jan 2015 8:15

Actually some variants of the Bramah lock had a tip on the key instead of the hollow tube. The things that are in the back of the keyway of that lock should not be there in a normal lever lock. Perhaps they were smushed over by picking attempts?

by **billdeserthills** » 27 Jan 2015 17:48

That 3rd pic really makes it look like there is something else in the keyhole, Pinkseahorse can You put a cotton swab in the key hole and give it a wipe out?

by **GWiens2001** » 27 Jan 2015 21:01

averagejoe wrote:

Beautiful beyond belief.

Gordon

by **JeremyMi** » 5 Mar 2015 0:28

I purchased an old german antique wall clock. Appears to be a Junghans or similar. No manufacturer markings on the case or the movement. Number stamped on the movement see attached photos. Can anyone identify the manufacturer and date of this clock? Thanks

by **GWiens2001** » 5 Mar 2015 1:17

Uhmmm... maybe someone here can. But this is LockPicking 101, not ClockFixing 101.

If you want some one here to try identifying your clock anyway, you can try posting pictures. But it would be a good idea to create a new thread for it.

Gordon