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American Lock Company U.S. -Model Identification?

Need help fixing or installing a lock? We welcome questions from the public here! Sorry, no automotive questions, please.
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WE DO NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE OR MOTORCYCLE LOCKS OR IGNITIONS ON THIS FORUM. THIS INCLUDES QUESTIONS ABOUT PICKING, PROGRAMMING, OR TAKING APART DOOR OR IGNITION LOCKS,

American Lock Company U.S. -Model Identification?

Postby Oatmealer » 3 Apr 2016 13:05

https://imgur.com/OlWgrz3

My dad gave me this (along with a big box of other locks he used to practice with) American Lock Company U.S. padlock, with the keys. 5 pins. Notice the bitting on the key, it seems like it would be a piece of cake to pick. I'm still unsuccessful, but happily working on it.

Can anyone identify the model? There are no other identifying information anywhere on it. The opposite side just had the big U.S. stamp. I'd like to do research this one.

Does anyone know any information about this lock? I'm curious as to how many security pins there are and what type of security pins they are. Granted, I am still fairly new at this, but this is one tough lock to get into, despite the seemingly easy looking bitting.

Thanks!
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Re: American Lock Company U.S. -Model Identification?

Postby teamstarlet » 20 Apr 2016 8:09

I'm not sure on the exact details but this looks like an old U.S. Military lock that is similar to this one, circa. 1954.

That bitting is really flat... Keep at it tho! It may also help to flush it out with brake parts cleaner and then lube it back up again using something like Lock Saver. No doubt there's probably years of gunk in there.
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Re: American Lock Company U.S. -Model Identification?

Postby Oatmealer » 21 Apr 2016 18:12

teamstarlet wrote:I'm not sure on the exact details but this looks like an old U.S. Military lock that is similar to this one, circa. 1954.

That bitting is really flat... Keep at it tho! It may also help to flush it out with brake parts cleaner and then lube it back up again using something like Lock Saver. No doubt there's probably years of gunk in there.



Thanks for the reply! I've since been able to open it a few times. But for such a simple bitting, it's still tough. Very small keyway and there's very little audible feedback. One of my favorites to practice with!
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Re: American Lock Company U.S. -Model Identification?

Postby Br0keN » 28 Sep 2016 10:40

nice bitting! as far as security pins in american locks from my experience they are always packed full of them mainly serrated and spools. but this lock is old and i would guess standard pins.
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Re: American Lock Company U.S. -Model Identification?

Postby mseifert » 28 Sep 2016 11:45

Oatmealer wrote:
teamstarlet wrote:I'm not sure on the exact details but this looks like an old U.S. Military lock that is similar to this one, circa. 1954.

That bitting is really flat... Keep at it tho! It may also help to flush it out with brake parts cleaner and then lube it back up again using something like Lock Saver. No doubt there's probably years of gunk in there.



Thanks for the reply! I've since been able to open it a few times. But for such a simple bitting, it's still tough. Very small keyway and there's very little audible feedback. One of my favorites to practice with!


If you can open it you should be able to tell which and many security pins are in it . If I remember correctly these older Americans don't have any .. but I could be wrong ..
When I finally leave this world.. Will someone please tell my wife what I have REALLY spent on locks ...
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Re: American Lock Company U.S. -Model Identification?

Postby kwoswalt99- » 28 Sep 2016 22:18

mseifert wrote:
Oatmealer wrote:
teamstarlet wrote:I'm not sure on the exact details but this looks like an old U.S. Military lock that is similar to this one, circa. 1954.

That bitting is really flat... Keep at it tho! It may also help to flush it out with brake parts cleaner and then lube it back up again using something like Lock Saver. No doubt there's probably years of gunk in there.



Thanks for the reply! I've since been able to open it a few times. But for such a simple bitting, it's still tough. Very small keyway and there's very little audible feedback. One of my favorites to practice with!


If you can open it you should be able to tell which and many security pins are in it . If I remember correctly these older Americans don't have any .. but I could be wrong ..


Mine have serrated, but maybe that's not true for all of them.
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Re: American Lock Company U.S. -Model Identification?

Postby GWiens2001 » 28 Sep 2016 22:21

The newest generation of American 5200 padlocks have bump stop pins instead of serrated, spooled, or spoorated pins. The previous generations had security pins. At least that is my experience.

Gordon
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Re: American Lock Company U.S. -Model Identification?

Postby Robotnik » 28 Sep 2016 22:44

I've seen pre-1985 American 5200s with standard pins.
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Re: American Lock Company U.S. -Model Identification?

Postby kwoswalt99- » 28 Sep 2016 22:52

I didn't think we were talking about 5200's. :?:
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Re: American Lock Company U.S. -Model Identification?

Postby GWiens2001 » 28 Sep 2016 22:54

Ahh, he was quoting TeamStartlet, who was talking about US Military American Padlocks. Was assuming that the reference was to the 5200.

Gordon
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