American series 200 date code

by **UnlockingBoredom** » 14 May 2015 12:58

I picked up an American series 200 lock with a US stamp on the back. I want to date it but it doesn't have the normal 3 letter date code on it, instead it has a 3 number code. Can anyone tell me where to find info on American number date codes?

I tried the search but could not find what I was looking for. Sorry if its out there.... I can't find it :roll:

Edit: date code is 973
Second edit: can any of you locksmiths give me the key cuts for this lock? Its code is 09867

Thanks for any help...

by **Squelchtone** » 14 May 2015 13:02

UnlockingBoredom wrote:I picked up an American series 200 lock with a US stamp on the back. I want to date it but it doesn't have the normal 3 letter date code on it, instead it has a 3 number code. Can anyone tell me where to find info on American number date codes?

I tried the search but could not find what I was looking for. Sorry if its out there.... I can't find it

Edit: date code is 973
Second edit: can any of you locksmiths give me the key cuts for this lock? Its code is 09867

Thanks for any help...

Mind posting a photo of the front and back? would like to see how new or old this lock is.

upload to imgur.com and cut/paste here.

Thanks
Squelchtone

by **UnlockingBoredom** » 14 May 2015 13:40

I will post picture when I get home, I'm baby sitting my 2 grandbabies and didn't bring my camera. Also posting using my Nook.

by **UnlockingBoredom** » 14 May 2015 20:15

Here are the photos....

Thanks for any help....

EDIT: after seeing the pictures up close it sure looks like someone tried to use a bump key on it...

by **Squelchtone** » 14 May 2015 22:33

Hmm.. here's my theory.. I think it's a direct date code, as in September 1973. Normally that code would be RHL but I seem to remember some MIL-P specification that said locks had to have US, the manufacturer's name, and the year of manufacture stamped on the padlock. I can't find the exact document to verify that right now.

Here's a similar document, which only says US or US Set has to be stamped on the padlocks and they must be key retaining, but does not mention the date of manufacture needing to be on the lock body.. interesting reading anyhow: http://www.navfac.navy.mil/content/dam/ ... 59486B.pdf

Anyone else have any theories?
Squelchtone

by **UnlockingBoredom** » 15 May 2015 0:01

Thanks for the information Squelchtone... I hope after I get it open and keyed I can start to sell off a few locks to fund a Herty Gerty I am trying to get. I started picking tubular locks but have no way to make keys for them.. locksmiths in my area want way too much to make a key so I figure I will get something to do it myself.

by **GWiens2001** » 15 May 2015 7:41

UnlockingBoredom wrote:Thanks for the information Squelchtone... I hope after I get it open and keyed I can start to sell off a few locks to fund a Herty Gerty I am trying to get. I started picking tubular locks but have no way to make keys for them.. locksmiths in my area want way too much to make a key so I figure I will get something to do it myself.

I use a dremel with a cutoff wheel to cut them. my cuts go through the entire wall of the key blank, but it works.

Gordon

by **Sinifar** » 15 May 2015 8:18

I am not sure if I should post this here or in the advanced.... what I do is use an HPC tubular pick, and open the thing. Then I have the "pattern" for the cuts in hand. Next, using either a Scotsman, or the Jet 2000, make a key off the pick.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Sinifar

by **UnlockingBoredom** » 15 May 2015 12:43

Sinifar wrote:I am not sure if I should post this here or in the advanced.... what I do is use an HPC tubular pick, and open the thing. Then I have the "pattern" for the cuts in hand. Next, using either a Scotsman, or the Jet 2000, make a key off the pick.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Sinifar

I have tubular lock picks and can take it to a locksmith but they want to charge me $46.00 to make the key. Most likely they don't like me being able to pick locks and wanting to make keys.. I really don't know or why, but I need a way to make them. I wish I had the money for the HPC Scotsman but they are 3 times the price of a herty gerty. If I could find a cheaper way to cut them I would.

A dremmel would work for a lock for me but I do work for friends so I want to make nice keys for them...

by **UnlockingBoredom** » 15 May 2015 20:50

OK, this is what I get for not killing my nephew 31 years ago when I had the chance :evil:

I got a PM here with what the key bidding should be for the code and I started making the key 47733
I was not done with it, I had the 4,7,7 and was working on the two 3's and had to use the rest room...
In comes my nephew and inserts the key into the lock :shock:

Now I have a nice US lock with a key stuck
inside because I hadnt made a good transition from the 7 to the 3 so I have a 7 pin stuck in front of a 3
that wont get out of the way to let the key out.... :twisted:

I put the lock aside because I am just so frustrated right now all I can think of is to cut the lock to get the
insides out to save them but destroy the lock to do it....gggrrrrrrr

by **GWiens2001** » 15 May 2015 21:05

UnlockingBoredom wrote:OK, this is what I get for not killing my nephew 31 years ago when I had the chance
I got a PM here with what the key bidding should be for the code and I started making the key 47733
I was not done with it, I had the 4,7,7 and was working on the two 3's and had to use the rest room...
In comes my nephew and inserts the key into the lock Now I have a nice US lock with a key stuck
inside because I hadnt made a good transition from the 7 to the 3 so I have a 7 pin stuck in front of a 3
that wont get out of the way to let the key out....

I put the lock aside because I am just so frustrated right now all I can think of is to cut the lock to get the
insides out to save them but destroy the lock to do it....gggrrrrrrr

If the lock is not mounted to anything, hold it by the key and rap the lock with a mallet or piece of wood, or knock it on a table. Knock it on the same side as the key pins are located compared to the key. This should cause the pins to jump. If you are pulling LIGHTLY on the key as you do it, the key should start to work its way out.

Had this happen a number of times when I started impressioning keys, before I learned to watch the ramps.

Hope this helps!

Gordon

by **UnlockingBoredom** » 15 May 2015 21:37

Gordon,

I was just thinking of this while eating dinner (kind of like a bump key technique) but hitting the lock instead of the key.

Thank you for confirming that it does work... hopefully it will work on this lock without damaging it. I only paid $3.00 for the lock but still its a nice US lock..

by **UnlockingBoredom** » 15 May 2015 22:00

Gordon, you are a genius my friend!! I put a screw driver under the head of the key and while smacking it on the side with the pins I was pulling with the screw driver and it finally started coming out! after more whacking I got the key out.

I am just going to impression this lock and be done with it....

by **GWiens2001** » 16 May 2015 0:10

Glad it worked out for you.

Gordon

by **kwoswalt99-** » 16 May 2015 8:04

I used to cut keys with a chainsaw file, but stopped because I couldn't test the keys. I use a 0.25" round file now, and sometimes you don't even need to touch the ramps, but I still like to round them anyway.

American series 200 date code

American series 200 date code

Re: American series 200 date code

Re: American series 200 date code

Re: American series 200 date code

Re: American series 200 date code

Re: American series 200 date code

Re: American series 200 date code

Re: American series 200 date code

Re: American series 200 date code

Re: American series 200 date code

Re: American series 200 date code

Re: American series 200 date code

Re: American series 200 date code

Re: American series 200 date code

Re: American series 200 date code

Who is online