Midland and Barclays Incentive Saving Boxes

[alsallad]

These boxes were provided to people - typical children - who wished to have a secure method of saving their pennies. The safes date back to the 1920s until the 50s.

The bank kept the key!
But how do you pick them?

Links:
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/robbinsroost/item/5614
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 01503&rd=1

The Midland type seems to have a small catch hidden beneath a lip at the base of the key entry - pressing and turning doesn't work. The barrel is free-turning with no resistance.

The Barclay version reveals nothing on examination other than turning the barrel clockwise half a turn, and then turning back a quarter turn locks the barrel.

Any ideas? You can buy these sometimes on ebay but they never come with a key. And how can something seemingly so simple, be so difficult to open?
Cheers

[Peaky]

I know its a late reply but here it goes,

I wasnt sure why you wanted to do this but after having a look in to you i dont think you are nicking kids pocket money

The locks will not be anything special and usually an 'L' shaped piece of wire will do, bend the wire so it fits in the lock and then carefully turn like a key and feel for a stump or lever you can turn with the wire, after you have done this they should be open, the part you are turning doesnt actually opporate the lock mechs itself, its so only certain shaped keys will fit in and will either turn 360' or just a little until it meets a stop,

If you still struggle post a close-up of the locks.