Can you help me identify what kind of lock this is, please?

[Maggie77+]

I have inherited a men's armoire that has these locks on it; of course, they are locked and I don't have a key. The armoire is fairly old. I would say pre or circa WWII. I have posted pictures below. Each lock has two indentations on the case surrounding the keyhole that are 90 degrees from each other---you can sorta see them in the picture. The keyhole does not appear to be a funny shape but rather straight. I was hoping that someone could tell me what kind of lock it is and if it is hard to pick the lock. Also, please advise if these pictures are inadequate. Thank you for any help.

[KPick]

You need to point a flashlight to the lock. The picture is really dark.

[Divinorum]

You need to point a flashlight to the lock. The picture is really dark.

Also try shining the flashlight inside the lock, can you see anything? See any pins or wafer (square pins)?

[GWiens2001]

They look to be lever locks. They can be picked, but not with the tools used to pick a pin tumbler lock. It is easier (at least for me) to impression a key.

Gordon

[Maggie77+]

These are some extra pictures. Thank you for the help! I greatly appreciate it.

[GWiens2001]

Still think it looks like a lever lock. Here is a thread on making a key.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

The locks on your armoire are a bit different than the key-making lever lock is. Did you notice the knurled portion on the end? When unlocked they have a "latching" function to keep the doors closed.
If these locks are currently unlocked there is often a simpler way to make the first key. First unscrew
the screws holding the lock on the door. When you look at the front of the lock, near the keyway you
will probably see a hole that is punched into the lock case. If you insert a blank key & make the "throat cut" when you turn it you will
see the outermost lever raise up through this hole. Now you just need to use a paper-clip or some other way to measure back to that first lever tumbler, so you can begin filing the first cut on your blank. Take your time & when the first lever lines up with the wedge trying to enter into it (lever fence) you are ready to begin the next cut on your key. These are neat locks being that they are dual function, holding the doors shut, even when they are not locked. I would think there are at least two & maybe even three lever tumblers inside.

I just noticed you said these are locked. First try turning the outer knurled portion of the locking knob, just to make sure they are really locked. These really appear to me to be self-latching, which means that you can likely make an "L" shaped wire tool and get in behind the latch to
press the latch into the lock body. I would try the right door as it looks to have a larger gap in it. Once you get one of the doors open you can have a local locksmith make a key, as they are most likely keyed alike. I sincerely hope you Admin won't feel the need to call my posting Advanced and move it as these locks are most certainly antiques by now...

[zeke79]

The locks on your armoire are a bit different than the key-making lever lock is. Did you notice the knurled portion on the end? When unlocked they have a "latching" function to keep the doors closed.
If these locks are currently unlocked there is often a simpler way to make the first key. First unscrew
the screws holding the lock on the door. When you look at the front of the lock, near the keyway you
will probably see a hole that is punched into the lock case. If you insert a blank key & make the "throat cut" when you turn it you will
see the outermost lever raise up through this hole. Now you just need to use a paper-clip or some other way to measure back to that first lever tumbler, so you can begin filing the first cut on your blank. Take your time & when the first lever lines up with the wedge trying to enter into it (lever fence) you are ready to begin the next cut on your key. These are neat locks being that they are dual function, holding the doors shut, even when they are not locked. I would think there are at least two & maybe even three lever tumblers inside.

I just noticed you said these are locked. First try turning the outer knurled portion of the locking knob, just to make sure they are really locked. These really appear to me to be self-latching, which means that you can likely make an "L" shaped wire tool and get in behind the latch to
press the latch into the lock body. I would try the right door as it looks to have a larger gap in it. Once you get one of the doors open you can have a local locksmith make a key, as they are most likely keyed alike. I sincerely hope you Admin won't feel the need to call my posting Advanced and move it as these locks are most certainly antiques by now...

Good advice. Also, keep in mind if you can remove the hinge pins and remove the door if it is locked you can remove the locks and take them to a locksmith and have keys made much cheaper as you avoid ATLEAST the call out charge and the locksmith can disassemble the lock while making the key which will save time.