by raimundo » 20 Feb 2011 11:01
solid brass padlock I assume you refer to.
the pin chambers are drilled from the side, then capped with pressed in brass caps, sometimes the brass is different and you can see the difference, in spite of the wirebrushed camoflage. or you can use a tiny jewelers ball peen hammer or some thing similiar to make a slightly hammered surface on this edge and watch carefully to see if one or more of the inserts sinks below the surface and leaves a telltale circle you can see. the larger hole cap you will find is where the locking dogs and springs were inserted.
there may also be a pin driven in to ride a groove around the plug and hold it in.
some locks are not intended to be disassembled non destructively.
Wake up and smell the Kafka!!!