Sorry if this is in the wrong area, but how would I open?

[TeleCompter]

Got this tiny chest at an estate sale, lady there didn't know what was it in and I'm unsure how to get it open without damaging the box. Never picked a lock before but I looked inside the keyhole, it has a tiny hole leading straight into the wood of the box, and has a pin on the left that is on a slanting ")" shape, but I haven't been able to push the pin up or down, any idea how I can get this open?

[dhk42]

Try pushing the "pin" sideways in the directions a key would turn.

[TeleCompter]

Yeah tried that, wouldnt really move it at all

[dhk42]

You might need to overcome some spring tension (or rust - hit it with some we-40).

If the visible thing isn't the operating lever (could be a ward, I guess), then you'll need an L shaped piece of strong wire and you'll need to fish for it. You are looking to rotate it when you find it.

[jimu57]

Bend a tang on a dinner fork and use it as a key.

[Jacob Morgan]

Is it a tiny chest or a suit case? Is there a manufacturer's name on it anywhere?

[billdeserthills]

In my shop I would just sell you a key, these locks are not that well made and can easily be broken--then you'll find there are no replacements

[kwoswalt99-]

I'm guessing there's only a spring loaded latch that needs to be pushed to the right. There's likely no locking elements whatsoever, and it's probably not even warded. It's unusual that it doesn't appear to have a post though, as most of those do.

[mh]

I think the key would be stamped from flat sheet metal and look like e.g. the second one from the left on the bottom line of this picture: http://static.zoonar.de/img/www_reposit ... f65c96.jpg
Or like this: http://m.ebay.com/itm/261735879857

Also, it could be that opening the lock is achieved by pushing the whole "keyhole" (the rectangular shaped protrusion) sideways (to the right, or to the left?), and this movement could be enabled / disabled by turning the key. Does that "keyhole" / "knob" move at all? Are there scratch marks from such movement?

[Devhad]

Soooo what was in it? Don't leave us hanging!

[C locked]

Looks like an old cheney
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwj6xpPq0_nKAhWFpJQKHY5tA5AQjhwIBQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dcheney%2Block&psig=AFQjCNFGMUrMxDjhmUcZXIQMuvjmjdQUQw&ust=1455621763203113&rct=j

If you dont want to damage the lock or case
And you actually want to use the case as a case
Just get a key