BELLLOCK by The Eagle Lock Co, Terryville, Conn.

[mh]

Hi,

I acquired a nice vintage "BELLLOCK" with 'sidewinder'/'laser track' keys, it's a wafer lock (with springs) where 5 + 4 wafers are controlled by millings on the sides of the key.

It has an interesting concept for masterkeying (at least that's my interpretation for what I've seen inside the lock).

I would post pictures, however I'm not sure whether this is acceptable; after all, it was probably mounted on a phone coin box at some time in the past. I believe it's rather old, though.
Please advise.

Cheers,
mh

[n2oah]

All HS breakdowns, as far as I have read, are okay except for auto locks. Since laser track locks are sometimes in high-priced cars, you should wait for a mod/admin's permission.

[Shrub]

There actually in most new cars now or at least those of certain makes, price and model doesnt mattr any more.

It is an iffy one i think for that reason.

[greyman]

mh, go ahead and post. I'd love to see the pictures. Posting pictures of a lock that's 50+ years old can hardly be called a threat to security.

BTW, does it have any date/patent info on it?

[Shrub]

The lock may be old but if the technolagy is still in use and especially in cars then its not for the open forums.

[keysman]

The lock may be old but if the technolagy is still in use and especially in cars then its not for the open forums.

Wouldn't that pretty much eliminate the discussion of all pin tumbler and wafer tumbler locks ?
Didn't the Rolls Royce use lever locks on the doors at one time?

Guess we should count them ( lever locks) out too

[jordyh]

Keysman,

With lever locks and wafer locks, you're correct, but lasertrack keys are pretty high security, and commonly (READ: MUCH MUCH MORE OFTEN USED THAN LEVER OR WAFER LOCKS) used in cars these days (that is, at the time, so: not 'a rolls royce, at one time').

I've still gotta hear a mod about this, but my guess is that it won't be appreciated by the mods if you discuss automotive locks in the open forums. That's the stuff you get locked, warned and banned for.

I can't tell you to do anything, but i cincerely advise you to heed Shrubs advise (as he's an automotive lockie and car enthousiast) about this matter.

However much i'll apologise for my tone of voice later on (whether anyone of us is wrong, i'm stying it like this to get the point across), the forum rules regarding advanced information are there to be respected.

really, no disrespect, but surely, you can see the difference between lever locks back in the days and lasertracks now.

my €0,02.

Yours,

Jordy

[Shrub]

Keysman, you mis read my post a little i think although i do see the smileys, i said old technolagy thats still used, pin tumblers are used on car locks but as Jordy stated (thanks for the heads up by the way) laser and laser track locks are deemed a high security issue.

I have pm'd Db to make a governing decision on this, im guessing the phone box issue could also be brought up as they may well be used in less advanced countries still.

[digital_blue]

Photos only, but no bypass discussion. Sound fair? I think that's fair.

db

[undeadspacehippie]

can somebody explain lasertrack keys? - I've never heard of this - Is it like a regular car key? If this question is still under the HS category, disregard.

[UWSDWF]

think the new VW key

[illusion]

Uh-uh.. no way am I posting up photos of auto locks.

Why the sudden change of mantality towards all this advanced stuff I wonder? Are we falling short of active members?

[p1ckf1sh]

Photos only, but no bypass discussion. Sound fair? I think that's fair.

Yes, most certainly! Looking forward to see those pictures, mh!

[mh]

Ok, with permission by db, here are the pics,
No bypass discussion, please.


This is a vintage BELLLOCK.

The key has "BELLLOCK PATENTED", a number, and
The Eagle Lock Co., Terryville, Conn. Made In U.S.A
stamped on it.
The lock itself has the same number and no other markings.

It is BTW *not* an automotive lock.

This is the lock with the keys (it came with a set of 2 keys, both are the same):

The 2 screws are not original of course, in those places were 2 rivets.

When opened, you can see the deadbolt that can be moved by turning the plug by 90 degrees:


And now comes the most interesting part (in my opinion):

The plug (on the right) has *two sets* of wafers that stick out of the plug while no or the wrong key is inserted. One set of (5) wafers fits to one side of the keys I have, and it interacts with the 4 sets of cuts in the housing that you can see as an off-centered "cross". (From this you can also see that the key can be removed in 2 positions, 0 and 90 degrees.)

However, the other set of (4) wafers does not fit to the other side of the keys. But I can still turn the plug, because the housing has cuts all around in the layers where these wafers are. So this second set of wafers does not block the plug from rotation.

It does however block the plug from pushing it further into the lock body.
There is a strong spring and a washer behind the plug:


Now my theory - I believe that this is used for masterkeying:

On the change keys, side 1 is cut to the particular lock, and side 2 is cut to a dummy pattern.
On the master key, it's the opposite - side 2 is cut to match the (4) wafers that usually prevent pushing the plug into the lock. When the master key is inserted, the user pushes the plug into the lock, then the (5) wafers do not block anymore, and the plug can be turned.
An interesting concept for masterkeying.

Finally, this is a picture of the plug - with the (5) wafers on side 1 still inside, while the (4) wafers on side 2 and their springs have been taken out. The long narrow strip of brass is the retainer that keeps the wafers inside:


I hope you like it

Cheers,
mh

[mh]

BTW, does it have any date/patent info on it?

No, only "PATENTED" on the key.