I thought I might throw these pics of a few of these types of locks i have. I don't know if this kind of thing is already up here, so I hope i'm showing people something new. Hope you guys find it interesting. Oh, and Greyman, that tip was really helpful. I pulled real hard on it and got some of the hooks to stay off the shackle, but i could quite get them all. I'll keep working on it though.
Unopened. This lock was made by Yale, which it says on the pic but is kinda hard to read. Can't find a date on it, but it probably predates 1900, since Linius Yale invented the pin tumbler around 1885.
Here it is opened with the mechanism exposed. Just a quick note, this lock was opened by grinding off the carraige bolts. This makes these antique locks COMPLETELY unsellable/ruins the lock's value. Make sure the lock isn't worth too much before you start destroying it.
Here is the lock taken apart completely. you can see how the left and right arms catch on the shackle. Also, in the top right you can see the wafer/ward beneath the spring. (at least thats what I think its for)
here is a couple pictures of an antique Sargent I have which is sort of similar, although works a bit differently. There are numbers on the inside which you can just make out in the picture. The numbers are 739 1/2. If anyone knows what these numbers mean, Id be curious to know. I dont think its the key code, as the numbers dont seem to indicate heights on the key.
