Raymond wrote:I have no experience exactly with Diplomat safes. But it would seem to me that the handle would move the bolt rack and the key lock double locks it. I suggest that if the key lock is actually locked, that it could be picked once the combo is determined. The key lock might actually be unlocked right now.
Supporting this hypothesis is the fact that he was actually able to plot a convincing graph. If the key was necessary to move the bolt rack, a direct tailpiece lock, then there would be no "drop point" to measure on the graph.
Continue manipulation to see if the handle will turn some then pick the lock to open it the rest of the way.
That's really interesting...
The locksmith suggested that the key lock may be a "day" lock, allowing the safe door to be opened via "key only" throughout the day if the combination lock was undisturbed after first opening as in the Diplomat model. If this were the case, using my imagination I would picture that the key lock sits mechanically linked between the dial and the handle.
Which leads me to this: The locksmith asked me to spin the dial while pulling the handle up in the open direction. There is a very noticeable binding between 48 and 51 on the dial. When I release the handle the binding is gone. When sharply moving the handle up and down there is no discernable movement on the key lock. This suggests that the key lock may not be mechanically linked between the handle and the dial and may in fact be an unlocked double lock as you suggest?
To your point, if I understand correctly, you are saying that if there is no fence how would I be able to do an AWL graph that appears to be picking up data? (There does appear to be nose contact points at 95 and 1) If the key were to be a "double lock" currently in the unlocked position it would be effectively out of the equation. This could be supported by the binding around 50 when manipulating the lock handle.
If I am able to get a correct key made I should be able to confirm the function of the key lock. If I can turn a full rotation of the key it would confirm that it is a "double" lock, if it turns slightly it would be a day lock. Unfortunately I am as skilled a lockpicker as I am a safecracker.
Could the binding at 49-51 when pulling the handle indicate anything? If you look at my AWL there doesn't appear to be much going on in that area.
Fair warning these are the musings of a complete novice.
Looking at my AWL, I would appreciate any very explicit manipulations to try next. I have watched a lot of videos, read a lot of posts but my "not as young as it used to be" brain is having some trouble processing all the information. Thanks all!