Anyone ID this lock type?

[mmcc]

I got the following lock of eBay. It is a pin tumbler, however, the pins are not like a standard or dimple lock. The pins are at the far end of the lock and you jab the key into them to turn the lock. The mechanism retains the key, by inserting ball bearings into the hole in the key.

What do you call this type of mechanism?

[Squelchtone]

Ahh the ABA Pagoda.. nifty lock..

Here's an animation of it working. http://www.abalocks.com/comm/upimage/w_111121_01838.swf

In the 1930's there was a "similar" lock called the Wise padlock and it used a key that was stepped and would push concentric rings together to create a flush shearline, this is like it's distant cousin, where it pushes discs a certain distance depending on the key cuts and the posts on each disc, and if it pushes them the proper distance, the bumps in the wafers get to ride in cutouts in the shell and the lock is allowed to turn.

As to an actual name for this mechanism.. Graham Pulford calls it an Inline Push Type on page 196 of his magnificent book: High Security Mechanical Locks: An Encyclopedic Reference. Graham is on this forum by the name of greyman, it is a book most of us own, and I highly recommend it to anyone serious about physical security research.

Squelchtone

[mmcc]

That was awesome thanks. I thought it was similar to a pin tumbler given the pins inside.

How do you pick this?

I can envision a high speed rake driven by solenoids, so I don't feel they are very high security.

[Squelchtone]

Graham's book suggests 256 key combinations, similar to regular wafer lock.

picking goes something like this


Thanks to ImSchatten360 for the nice video =)

Squelchtone

[LockDocWa]

Are there any False cutouts in these locks?