identify this lock

[ahardb0dy]

Hello, sorry I could not search as I don't know what this lock is called.

Years ago when I was a teenager a friend of mine showed me this key (can't recall if he had the lock), I think he said his dad got it from a prison or something like that.

The key had a tubular solid center with 4 "wings coming off of it so it was shaped like an "X", any idea who makes/made it?

Thanks

[Evan]

@ahardb0dy:

A picture is worth a thousand words when asking for a lock identification...

~~ Evan

[ahardb0dy]

I know but if I had a picture I wouldn't need to ask. I found this somewhere they these keys are known as "4-way or cruciform keys" and I looked them up but the one I saw was not just shaped like a "+" it had a tubular solid center

like this, sorry such a bad drawing:

[TheSkyer]

Is this what you are looking for?



It's a European style lock used as a secondary lock on doors to houses. Cool this about them is that if you pick them and turn them they will only turn 1/4 of the way and reset. This means you have to pick the lock 4 times before it's actually open

[ahardb0dy]

No, the center is tubular than has the 4 sides sticking out from it, thanks

[TheSkyer]

Yea i noticed that to late, sorry friend.

[MacGnG1]

i think it might be a Bramah key. check this out: http://www.crypto.com/photos/misc/bramah/

[MacGyver101]

A number of German safe manufacturers have made locks in the past with four-bitted keys like the ones that I think you're describing: Kromer and Panzer both come to mind.

The only example that I could quickly find is a Panzer Vierbart (c.1907) on Oliver Diederichsen's website. Warning: these are LARGE photos...

• Keys and Keyway
• Close-Up of Key Blade

[Squelchtone]

Hello, sorry I could not search as I don't know what this lock is called.

Years ago when I was a teenager a friend of mine showed me this key (can't recall if he had the lock), I think he said his dad got it from a prison or something like that.

The key had a tubular solid center with 4 "wings coming off of it so it was shaped like an "X", any idea who makes/made it?

Thanks

"years ago" is relative. we talking the 1950's or the 1990's? It could be a Twistee lock or it could be a Kromer or even a Papaiz like someone already linked too. Also, other than a trip down memory lane, is there a reason you've become reminiscent of the lock lately and wanted to find out more?

Thanks, details will help us help you,
Squelchtone