advice on lever lock

[Sam_5]

Hi.

Can anyone please give me advice on how to approach picking this lock. Whilst having a little experience with cylinder locks I've have no experience at all with lever locks... if this is indeed a lever?

I'm pretty good at fabrication, so maybe able to make the tools needed.

here's hoping and thanks in advance.

Sam

[billdeserthills]

You mean a universal pick?
http://www.locksmithstoolbox.com/v/vspf ... 035-2T.jpg


That lock looks like an antique, why not just make a key for it instead of possibly breaking it?

[Sam_5]

Happy to make a key if I knew to what design, or do you mean go buy a key.

[Squelchtone]

This is probably not a good DIY project if this is your first adventure into lock picking or key making. As Bill already noted, it appears to be some sort of antique crystal bottle holder that is now used as a decoration or conversation piece. And now I feel like we are on an episode of Antiques Roadshow....

Your best bet is to bring it to a locksmith shop near your house or have the locksmith pay you a visit to minimize the item being broken during transit. If money is an issue, bring it to a shop so they can work on it in spare time and not charge you a fee to come out.

Good luck,
Squelchtone

[Sam_5]

Thanks for the advice,Squalchtone. Clearly don’t want to go breaking it, especially as it is not mine.
Regards
Sam

[billdeserthills]

Happy to make a key if I knew to what design, or do you mean go buy a key.

I kinda doubt you'll be able to find a blank, but you could make your own blank from a piece of bar brass

[femurat]

Very nice lock. I'd like to see a picture of the entire bottle safe! And also one of the inside of the keyway.

The lock shape reminds me Bramah locks. If this is the case, you need a very good Locksmith to pick it open and make a key. Not an everyday job for them.

Good luck

[GWiens2001]

Was also thinking how much it looks like a Bramah lock. I don’t know how many locksmiths here in the United States service Bramah locks, but it can’t be many. And even fewer who could pick it.

Gordon

[Sam_5]

Managed to remove the fasteners that held the handle and lock in place on the frame. Discovered a key tucked away in the base, and also found that the front disk of the lock slides downwards, bringing the tongue with it and freeing the handle to swing clear. Got an awful feeling the lock wasn’t locked!!! Chalk this up as a massive learning experience.

Thanks to all for the replies.

[GWiens2001]

I’ve had more than a few experiences like that.

Thank you for the update.

Gordon

[rphillips52]

This appears to be an early-20C tantalus of modest quality. The lock is an imitation bramah lock.

The OP does not state whether the key found operates the lock.
Typically, these tantalus locks have 4-sliders positioned at equal distances, (i.e., 12, 3, 6, 9 o'clock) with a limited number of differs. An old-established locksmth shop, or good class antique dealer, might be able to help. Trial of keys is feasible. Fairly common to find these locks not in good order, with bent sliders, or the lock needing a clean to free moving parts.

An opening tool used for these in the past is a suitable size quill with the end cut off, and two pairs of slits at right-angles in the end of the tube. If this is pressed in gently, with a four-way rocking motion and a slight turning pressure, it can sometimes unlock the lock, and should be strong enough to move the bolt. If the the opposite slits are the same depth, and the other pair are of a different depth, because the tube is plain (i.e., without a bit) it can be tried in different positions by rotating it a quarter turn.
A game dealer or butcher might be able to supply a suitable size of quill.