Can anyone ID this?

[OrMeanGene]

I was given a box of older locks and im trying to ID this one. It has no markings at all on body. On the core there is a B 79. Was wondering if its an old best lock. Anyone know? Have no key. I can pick, wasnt sure damaging was only way to find out.


Pic from side


Pic of core

[Robotnik]

Believe you're correct in this being an older Best. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say WW2 era; was common for lock bodies to be made of cast zinc/Zamak due to wartime rationing.

[OrMeanGene]

Believe you're correct in this being an older Best. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say WW2 era; was common for lock bodies to be made of cast zinc/Zamak due to wartime rationing.

Thanks for info. I hope thats the case. Seems pretty cool

[billdeserthills]

Believe you're correct in this being an older Best. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say WW2 era; was common for lock bodies to be made of cast zinc/Zamak due to wartime rationing.

That is cool, looks like the A keyway, I think
must be a 5 pin core

[OrMeanGene]

Believe you're correct in this being an older Best. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say WW2 era; was common for lock bodies to be made of cast zinc/Zamak due to wartime rationing.

That is cool, looks like the A keyway, I think
must be a 5 pin core

Its 6pin

[billdeserthills]

Believe you're correct in this being an older Best. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say WW2 era; was common for lock bodies to be made of cast zinc/Zamak due to wartime rationing.

That is cool, looks like the A keyway, I think
must be a 5 pin core

Its 6pin

I guess that means the Best padlock my Dad left me is even older than that one
mine has a 5 pin core, but a brass housing

[jeffmoss26]

Bill, can you post a pic?

[Robotnik]

I have a 5-pin padlock body - no core - laying around somewhere. Been meaning to hunt down a core for that.

Actually know a guy with several 4-pin Best Universal (and even older) padlocks/cores. Had a trail of drool down my chin when I laid hands on those .

[Big Jesse]

Looks to me like a Best "C" or "B" keyway. looks worn out and the angle is hard to tell which one. the lettering B 79 dont look symetrical, they look hand stamped, so that would only be for the locksmith to identify it with. but i could be wrong. great find!

[OrMeanGene]

Looks to me like a Best "C" or "B" keyway. looks worn out and the angle is hard to tell which one. the lettering B 79 dont look symetrical, they look hand stamped, so that would only be for the locksmith to identify it with. but i could be wrong. great find!

Thanks. I can drag my pick along bottom of keyway and feel those notches. Ive been looking at buying a few best locks to work on, but this is my only one currently. Ive been able to pick it several times, and im hoping to get it to control. Should be able to figure more out then. Feels like spools in it.
.