Old Fashioned Locks

by **drworm** » 20 Jun 2004 19:07

What are those old fashioned locks called? The ones with the big round keys? I have lost the key to an old chect with one of those locks and would like to know how to pick it.

Thanks a lot!

by **Chucklz** » 20 Jun 2004 19:39

It could be a lever or warded lock.

by **plot** » 20 Jun 2004 21:31

"Skeleton Key" type lock?

by **Romstar** » 20 Jun 2004 21:46

drworm wrote:What are those old fashioned locks called? The ones with the big round keys? I have lost the key to an old chect with one of those locks and would like to know how to pick it.

Thanks a lot!

It's most likely a warded lever lock. Yes, WARDED LEVER. I don't know why people forget to mention the warding in these locks.

Getting slightly off topic, a ward is any obstruction in the keyway that impeeds an improper key, or a foreign object from entering the lock. Those groves down the sides of your normal keys? They're for passing the wards. The notches in a lever key? For passing the external and internal wards. Wards people! Since their introduction they have been used on every key with the exception of tubulars and some high security locks.

Now, back to the question.

If it is in America it is most likely a 3 lever lock. Sometimes even one or two levers. I have seen four and five lever locks made in the Americas, but since good ole' Linus Yale perfected his pin tumbler they lost favor in America.

There are 6 common skeleton keys that I am familiar with, and any decent locksmith will have a set. Sometimes you can even find them at the harware store on the key rack.

Unless this is some strange custom made lock, most likely one of those skeleton keys will open it.

Best of luck.
Romstar

by **Luke** » 20 Jun 2004 21:50

Coat hanger works well....

by **Romstar** » 20 Jun 2004 21:51

Oh darn!

Addendum here.

I read, and sort of missed that this was on a chest.

Depending on the age and quality of the chest it could in fact be a flat steel lever lock. Similar in appearance to a safe deposit key. Also, it could be a simple stamped luggage key.

Many of these locks are single or two lever. Perhaps a single side ward. A simple wire pick, shaped slightly like an "L" with a bit of a bend in the side to pass the ward would be sufficient to pick the lock. The height of the pick will depend on the size of the keyway.

If I could take a picture I would give you an example. Suffice it to say that with a bit of effort, and a metal coat hanger, you should be able to get the thing open. Hell, the coat hanger might even be too thick. Find an appropriate size wire, grab a pair of needle nose pliers, and side cutters and you will open this lock.

Romstar

by **drworm** » 20 Jun 2004 21:52

I found the key. Here is a picture of it:

This image can be downloaded here. Even though I found the key I would still like to learn about the lock.

by **Romstar** » 20 Jun 2004 21:56

Basic interior circular wards. Single lever.

If you tore open this lock, you would see the two circular wards that fit into the cuts on the front of the key.

It's easy enough to pick with the "L" shaped wire.

Romstar

by **Luke** » 20 Jun 2004 21:56

I watched my locksmith buddy open a lever lock with the coat hanger bent into a square at the tip, imatating a key... it cracked me up when the client saw that it was a coat hanger and started drinking his beer!

by **drworm** » 20 Jun 2004 22:00

Thanks a whole lot guys! In the time it took me to write my last post, get a pic with my digital camera and upload it two posts had been made. I'm impressed with the speed that you responded. So your saying that all it would take to open a simple lock like this is a piece of wire shaped like a L?? Wow, and I thought that this was a decent hiding place... Thank you a lot! I'm going to bend a coat hanger. See ya later.

by **Romstar** » 20 Jun 2004 22:05

"Have fun", Romstar shouted at the quickly retreating back.

"Glad we could help", he finished in a reserved sigh.

Romstar turned to Luke, and with a knowing look, asked, "Do you think he'll be back"?

by **drworm** » 20 Jun 2004 22:33

I think I understand! Are the wards the little metal ridges? So, the key has to have grooves to fit those wards... but what stops somebody from making a key with only one ridge at the very bottom to open EVERY lock? I still haven't picked it... the coathanger keeps getting stuck between the wards. But I know that lockpicking takes patience and 11:50 at night isn't the best time to be patient. Am I doing anything overly wrong? Or do I just need practice? Thanks a million.

by **Luke** » 20 Jun 2004 22:39

"Yes" Luke replied

"When he realises he can not do it, he will return"

"Then we will go to the pub?" Replied Romstar

"Yes" Luke said to the recovering alcoholic

"Ofcourse my friend"

by **logosys** » 20 Jun 2004 22:41

drworm wrote:I think I understand! Are the wards the little metal ridges? So, the key has to have grooves to fit those wards... but what stops somebody from making a key with only one ridge at the very bottom to open EVERY lock? I still haven't picked it... the coathanger keeps getting stuck between the wards. But I know that lockpicking takes patience and 11:50 at night isn't the best time to be patient. Am I doing anything overly wrong? Or do I just need practice? Thanks a million.

That, my friend, is called a "skeleton key"

These warded locks are obsolete by now, and generally replaced by pin-tumbler locks. The best idea for getting better at picking - practice picking.

by **drworm** » 20 Jun 2004 22:41

Hey, this board's clock is messed up. GMT-5 is 11:41 right now, right? Odd. Or maybe I'm not thinking right. Anyway wanted to correct my statment of the time 11:36 isn't a good time to be patient. Man, I can't wait until they come up with a watch that doesn't mess up.

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