Military Locks

[Kumo]

This is the lock used onboard ships for armories and in other high-security applications. It uses a Medeco cylinder. Interestingly enough, there is also a 19 page document specifically on high-security padlocks.


http://locks.nfesc.navy.mil/images/S&G-833.jpg

[thertel]

Army uses what looks to be the same lock. Its used on Armouries. It ussually comes with 3 extra cylinders and a control key that will pull the cylinder packs. They are IMHO next to impossible to pick judging my the one I have. Whats even harder is getting spare keys though.

Thomas

[Wesson357]

I recall some of those locks being sold at a surplus store for $50. They really are quite the lock.

[thertel]

Oh yes you can occasionally find them at surplus stores. But I'll be the first to tell you that possession of them is very iffy, because of the DOD lock program. Those locks are not supposed to be discarded they are supposed to go to someplace for disposal (read distruction)

That said I love mine, paid about 50 for an unopened package with 3 cores and 2 keys for each core and a control key. I use it for a storage locker.


Thomas

[backspinnn]

We had these locks on the Navy ships I was on for the ammunition lockers indoors and outside. The locks did not like the marine environment very much and would often jam up or the key would get stuck in them. The lock probably weighs like 3 pounds or so. Our resident amateur shipboard locksmith would come and spray them full of WD40 and beat them with a 5 pound hammer until they would finally open with the key that fit of course. He also worked on the ship's firearms, so when he would go re-core the lock he also filled them full of that thick gun grease to "repair them". I guess it worked for another 3-4 months, unless it was summer and then the grease would melt and drip out the bottom of the lock...

backspinnn

[SFGOON]

Those particular padlocks are what is referred to in military parlance as a "sensitive item." That means that for every one you are able to purchase, somewhere there is a weeping young Liutenant, a furious Captain, and a severely irritated Colonel. That being said I'd be very curious to know what makes them tick, has anyone taken one apart?

[thertel]

If memory serves, I'm on the road atm, its a medeco cylinder. Really the most special thing about them is how hard they are to damage and/or destroy. Sadly I think that if a person can pick a high end medeco lock they can probably pick this lock. Just speculation though, because I cannot yet pick Medeco biaxial or medeco3 locks, so can't be sure about it. I suspect the same concept on all locks applys to this lock as well, Don't rely on a lock alone for security and protection.

Thomas

[andrestl]

Hi-
21 years ago or so I saw these locks used in pairs on iron bar doors to rooms that had motion detectors alarmed conected to military police station. The floor walls and ceilings had to meet certain standards also.
if anyone messed with these(they were in soneone's plain sight day and night) ALL H*LL WOULD BREAK LOOSE.
Andrestl

[keysman]

I used to buy them, well used, from the DRMO (official US gov surplus outlet)

for $10.00@ with 1 key, Nice lock, nearly impossible to get parts for,don't loose the key.

I think they are tested against explosives and some other "harsh uses",

The shoulder is cut back on the 'control key" allowing you to turn the key " past" the normal stop , you can buy new cores from S&G for $150?

[raimundo]

When I was in the military they were using a similar lock body with an abloy type mechanism, and these can occasionally be found in lock collections. What I have heard about this lock you are discussing is that the mechanism is interlocking pins (emhart) design, I don't know if there is a sidebar also. Emhart pins must be rotated by the key just like Medeco. However, because the pin stack is locked together, no form of bump key or pick gun will ever work. there is a dovetail lock between the top and bottom pins. you may find more information on google.

[MERTON]

how would someone in the dallas area legally get his hands on one of these locks with an unshrouded shackle (or a shrouded one that will handle two 11mm hexagonal links) for cheap?

if it's unshrouded i would like at least a 11 or 12 mm shackle.

[lockstocknbarrel]

Assa Ablloy,
Is now fitted on all security cabinets and rooms containing sensitive information, in the Air Force Base where I service the locks.
Standing Base Orders.

I do not waste time in attempting to bypass these locks, just force method, and fit new lock if keying system records unavailable.

[vector40]

How exactly do you force it, lockstock

[vector40]

[insert question mark as needed]

[lockstocknbarrel]

Mr Dewalt 18v cutoff saw, padlocks, or doorjam.
This is the last straw, it may not be over professional.
Trust me in the early days I spent hours trying to open Abloy padlocks, they are very secure, we have one permantly in the workshop that is there just to play with, should we get bored, it been there 2 years now.
But there are only 24hrs in a day, God made a mistake, She should have made it 365hrs in a day.
Open the area required let them in and repair the lock......NEXT JOB