Picking Old Door locks

[dachef26]

I know this is a noobie question, and is probably going to be insanely simple, but I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to open an old interior door with a key looking similar to this:



and the keyhole looking similar to this:



What, if any tools are neccesary?

I can provide a pic of the real door/lock if needed.

Thanks for the help.

chef

[MrB]

Take anything that is a reasonable approximation to the shape of the key, put it in the lock and turn it. A bent piece of wire from a coat hanger could do it.

[daedalus]

Try searching for warded locks / warded picks. Those are pretty simple to pick. There are some templates for picks in this site.

[dachef26]

Any links to information?

after seeing this site, I'm kind of anxious to buy a good lockpicking kit and start working on it. Sounds challenging and exciting.

[dachef26]

ah, I've found the template:

http://www.wallofsoundrecords.com/picks.pdf

now I'm just goin to start bending coat hangers to make it work...

Any other ideas, please let me know.

Thanks again!

chef

[toomush2drink]

Do a search on lever locks as this is what this is. Its a lever lock with side wards. 2 L shaped wires will get this open but first you have to understand how it works to understand the opening method.

[dachef26]

toomush

Are you sure this is a lever lock? I couldn't find enough information by searching, pardon my n00bness

[toomush2drink]

Yes this is most definately a lever lock. Maybe our cross atlantic terminology is different and the us guys seem to like the term warded lock but its still a lever lock with side wards. There are a few threads with instructions so did a bit of searching for you to get you on your way. BTW these locks are very common in the uk and the type your key is for are normally used for internal doors where only low security is required.
The second thread ive linked has some pictures but the locks in that one are of a higher security rating called bs3621 (british standard). If you notice around the keyway there is a circular piece of metal called a curtain that prevents/ makes it harder to get wires into lock.

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=2846
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=2864

[capt.dunc]

the picks on the link, wallofsound, are for warded padlocks not door locks. old warded locks had one lever and the bolt, and to prevent one key opening all, they had internal wards of varying complexity from simple pin wards to more elaborate shapes, and they were produced in any and various sizes. these locks were hand made and an apprentice locksmith would be expected to produce a masterpiece lock to finish his training. as technology improved and craftsman died out they moved to more levers raising to varying heights, the lever lock, however some warding was retained to allow greater key varients. the defining of the type is usually by which gives the greater security, wards or levers. if it's a lever lock with internal wards then your picks may not work as pure L shaped wires and may require a slight curve in the internal leg to avoid catching on wards, for the key that you pictured this would be the case. i'm in the middle of doing some diagrams and info on warded locks for the site since there's not a lot of info.

[MrB]

I'm thinking a Z shape wire rather than an L shape might work well for this kind of lock. Something like this:

Code: Select all

                  --
                 /  \
   --------------   |
   \                |
    \              /
   --


The flat base of the Z would be able to lift the lever and throw the bolt at the same time, much like the flat base of the regular key. The angled upright of the Z would also pass the side wards.

I certainly tried to pick these interior privacy locks when I was a child, but it's in the dim and distant past now and I don't remember how successful I was.

[toomush2drink]

Whilst your on the right track mr b dont make the mistake of assuming there is only one lever to lift to throw the bolt. There could be up to 7 levers or more on safe locks with each requiring its own lift height just like a cylinder (pin tumbler) lock. This is where the similarities between the locks crosses over. Tension the bolt then feel with an L shaped wire which lever is "binding" then work your way throught like you would with a cylinder lock. As your lifting the wire straight up you are avoiding any side wards anyway. Only if you turn the wire like a key (rotationally) will the side wards cause any problems.
Its great to see more people trying to overcome these locks they can be a real pain,joy and challenge to pick.

[MrB]

Indeed I know about the more complex lever locks toomush, but the photo at the top of the thread showed a simple key such as you might find for a bathroom privacy lock. When I said to bend a piece of wire into a key shape, it was these privacy locks I was thinking about. capt.dunc said they have one lever, but I was not sure if all of them have even one lever--the simplest locks could just have wards and the bolt? If they are just to hold interior doors closed, it's not like they need to have security.

The key in the picture has a flat base, so by lifting and turning with a Z shaped piece of wire I believe you could lift a single lever and throw the bolt just like the key does it.

[capt.dunc]

even very old warded locks have one lever or detainer, since it stops the bolt sliding if you slam the door etc. the key shown looks like it belongs to a warded lock, i have a photo of an identical bit on a key c/o the taylor lock co. so i'll guess only one lever to raise, but a quick probe inside should tell you. if you look at the key shown earlier you'll see a cut in the top of the bit this may prevent a Z shape being able to raise the lever clear, but two independant wires should be simple, tension the bolt and lift the lever. depending on the warding in the lock in question a Z, T, 3, 2, C, or V shaped end may be able to lift the lever and throw the bolt in one. to make a new key you should be able to impression. take a blank the right size and use a candle to smoke the face of the bit nice and thick, put it in and give it a good turn then remove carefully. the soot should be clearly marked where the blank has hit wards inside. this alone will give you good idea of what sort of shaped tip to use for opening the lock in one move. if you wish to proceed with making a key, file away the sections of the bit where it has touched a ward, nice clean cuts with a file taking out squared sections and removing rough edges, you don't want to be droping metal shavings into your lock, resmoke and try again. remember if you cut a bit too shallow it'll remark, if you cut it too deep you can't just glue metal back on, so gently does it. some wards may only be present straight off, and some may be placed further through the key turn, so don't be suprised to think you've cut it only to find that stops half way.