Small Walsall padlock, is it broken?

[cheerIO]

My friend gave me this neat little padlock she found while antiquing.



The modern equivalent seems to be the smallest one on this page:
http://www.walsall-locks.co.uk/product.php?id=13

This the 4 lever version. I'm not familiar with multiple lever lock padlocks as this is my first one. I can see the levers and the bolt.



My question is; is this lock broken? The shackle is loose and does not lock as the bolt is not in place. My single lever locks pop open but then you can just push the shackle back down and they lock. Does this kind of lock unlock and then you have to turn it back with the key to lock it again?

If it is broken, its fine, I'll have an excuse to grind it open and figure out the guts to fix it.

Or can I pick it back to locked and then impression a key for it?

Any help appreciated.

[GWiens2001]

First of all, want to confirm that you are not using that American key for the Walsall padlock.

Some lever locks need the key to lock them as well as to unlock them. Yes, that includes lever padlocks. Made a key for one that operates in that fashion a month or so ago.

Gordon

[Squelchtone]

is that shackle missing it's little hook at the end to actually lock onto something when shut?

[cheerIO]

is that shackle missing it's little hook at the end to actually lock onto something when shut?

No, it seems intact. The shackle closes all the way it's just that the bolt is not in its path in the lock opening. I don't see any scratches or strain on anything so I guess the mechanism is ok.

First of all, want to confirm that you are not using that American key for the Walsall padlock.

Some lever locks need the key to lock them as well as to unlock them. Yes, that includes lever padlocks. Made a key for one that operates in that fashion a month or so ago.

Gordon

Yes Gordon, AM3 is for scale.
So, if this one you have to lock with the key. Does that mean I should pick it back closed before impressioning?

[GWiens2001]

So, if this one you have to lock with the key. Does that mean I should pick it back closed before impressioning?

You can impression the lock as it is, just turn the key counter-clockwise to get the impressions since this lock is already unlocked. Good job picking it, too!

Gordon

[peterwn]

So, if this one you have to lock with the key. Does that mean I should pick it back closed before impressioning?

You can impression the lock as it is, just turn the key counter-clockwise to get the impressions since this lock is already unlocked. Good job picking it, too!

Gordon

It is probably better to impression from the locked position. The lever tolerances are looser in the unlocked position since the relevant gate is near the lever pivot. If you impression from the unlocked position, the key may lock but not unlock the padlock. All is not lost, though, you can continue impressioning in the locked position.

I used to work in the electricity transmission business in NZ and they used to have large numbers of keyed like Walsall padlocks in the North Island to lock substations, gates, telephone huts, high voltage switches etc and all operators and reasonably senior staff had a key for them. They also had large numbers of keyed alike smallish Yale pin tumbler cast bronze padlocks especially in the South Island. They would have all been retired as security requirements are now much more stringent. I am surprised that the Walsall padlocks are still produced! Jackson locks in Australia is another firm that manufactures old fashioned type lever padlocks. Incidentally 50-60 years ago, padlocks like the ones shown were very common in UK and Abus in Germany also manufactured somewhat similar padlocks (their barrel keys had a much larger diameter hole than was usual for UK manufacturers).

[billdeserthills]

Easiest way to make a key is from the locked position But with the shackle still open. This way you can see which lever you are filing the key for. Save the tip cut for last, many times the tip doesn't even need to be filed, in order to work the latch the holds the shackle closed