Old drawer lock.

[plutocrat]

Hi all,

I have absolutely no clue about lockpicking ... so I thought I'd ask the experts! My girfriend has an old set of drawers, from around the 1950s. One of the drawers is locked and she has no idea what's in it, so she was debating whether to just force the door open.

I thought there must be another way: The other drawer is unlocked, so I was able to take the lock out to have a look at it. Here is a picture.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fcv70s1flxiw2o8/IMAG0286.jpg

Having got the open lock out, I figured I might as well try to gain some insight into its construction by trying to lock and unlock it again. I have tried randomly inserting paperclips in and wiggling it, and was able to lock the lock I'd removed. However now it won't unlock again! I realise this is a really basic lock, so I was wondering if anyone here could offer some guidance as to what tools / approach I should be using. Is it just a case of wiggling paperclips some more until I luck out?

Thanks for any pointers.

[globallockytoo]

Okay. This lock is known as a lever projection lock. Generally it uses 6 levers inside. The key is a flat metal key, with a shoulder cutout and the levers are open ended "belly" driven levers. They are really easy to impression.

Picking, is not hard, although you will be required to use a tension wrench and a separate pick tool to lift each lever. I once made a special pick for these but it's difficult to describe. It allows for a special key to "jig" the lock open.

yours looks like a typical 7/8" projection lock. There are 4 different levers in these locks and often they are master keyed.

[Squelchtone]

Great advice from globallockytoo.

If you are not handy, and unable to impression your own key from a blank, you could also bring the lock you pulled to a local locksmith shop (not home depot) and ask them to impression a key for it, should cost something like $25

Paperclips and such will not work to wiggle that lock open, unless you used them to made L shaped "wires" in order to tilt the levers to the proper heights. Not something easy to master if this is your first encounter with picking, and paperclips are also not the best metal to use as they break and deform too easily.

One tip on finding a local locksmith, dont just call the first number in the phone book, unfortunately there are some shady operators claiming to be locksmiths, when they're nothing more than a guy with a cordless drill who runs his scam out of the trunk of his Buick. You'll want to find a real shop to walk into, or a full service mobile locksmith that will come to you.

best of luck with your project,
Squelchtone

PS. with valentines day coming up, you may also consider buying your gf a new set of drawers.