Cia lockpicking gadgets

[pickmonger]

Most pickers have seen the CIA lockpick Knife that the OSS used during WW2 to pick locks or new multiblade versons.

Just read in Spycraft about a CIA device that combined a portable ultrasonic measuring device and an portable oscilloscope. Wonder how hard it would be to find off the shelf equipment to do this?

John Minnery's Lock Pick Guns shows the CIA agency battery operated lockpick gun that combined a tension wrench. It had different shaped pickholders for several pin tumbler locks. One handed picking with a silenced Wather Pk38 in the other hand.

CIA agents never wanted to leave marks on an opened lock. They used Fibre Picks. Picture a really chopped down toothbrush where nylon bristles manipulated the pins. Soft nylon did not scratch or leave marks.
FYI John Hughs patented a version of these that he sold. The concept works well but was expensive and had a steep learning curve. Many hobbyists bought them and claimed they didn't work. Well.... there are demos showing them working quite well. It just takes a lot of PRACTISE.

The CIA used a low melting point allow called Woods Metal and was able to make a cast of keys that were later cut onto key blanks.

There are other gadgets used to open locks and even safes but these have been kept quiet partly out of fear that effective deterrents would be developed requiring a lot of more hard work.

Some of John Falles tools for LEO have been leaked. They can enable a competent locksmith to quickly open many challenging locks. John also offers courses on opening and building tools.

A major German supplier has an amazing catalogue leaked on the internet showing 100's of surveillance and lock tools.

[stratmando]

Netflix has a Series now, "Spycraft", showing the tools used based on the Book
Most I think is common knowledge anymore, "CIA Lockpicking Manual" was pretty basic. LSS+ provided more.
Interesting we sometimes think most has been thought of, then another tool or technique comes out.
Just Pin Tumbler locks has many ways, sure I will miss something.

Raking, Rapping, Jiggling, Shimming, SPP'ing, Impressioning, Lishi, Electric Pick, Pick Gun, Try out keys.
Am sure I missed something? Interesting to see Spycraft.

[billdeserthills]

The shadow agencies have it easy these days, all they hafta do is hack into the local Key Me machine and pick up a copy

[sticksauras]

Just read in Spycraft about a CIA device that combined a portable ultrasonic measuring device and an portable oscilloscope. Wonder how hard it would be to find off the shelf equipment to do this? A major German supplier has an amazing catalogue leaked on the internet showing 100's of surveillance and lock tools.

Buddy and I were at a trade show in Paris and they had the tools out on display . I got manufacturers details and a demo of the gear which scans the pin heights inside the lock like a baby ultrasound . This was at a public show , trade show was Milipol . Theres another post in the forum here about how it works but basically a small transponder mounted into the lock .

I think its very old tech now thatg FORBES! are reporting the new tech available https://hackaday.com/2020/08/22/stealin ... -the-lock/ and https://hackaday.com/2020/08/22/stealin ... -the-lock/

[YouLuckyFox]

Ultrasonic? I'd be suspicious of this working. I work with UT equipment as part of welding and work eith NDT level 3s often. But before I list all the concerns about coupling gels, spacing of arrays, the level of accuracy of UT, and pin geometry...does anyone have a source for this that might already resolve my concerns? If I find a patent I'll list it in reply.