Zeiss Ikon Locks & Keys

mk1mark

I am looking for any information regarding Zeiss Ikon 4 sided lock and keys manufactured in the 1930’s & 40’s.

I would also be very interested in purchasing same.

Any pointers would be very greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

mark F.

NKT

I know that the POWs made some great keys to get past these locks, from bits of tin can and the like, and I’ve seen variable keys too. These locks aren’t that common here in the West now, but apparently they were still common in the Soviet Bloc at least until the fall of the wall. I’ve got pictures somewhere of Stasi picks for them. (The Stasi only allowed sale of locks that they could open secretly. A little like the USA and encryption!)

Tom Gordon

They are still common on the continent but never caught on in Britain.

NKT

Actually the cruciform are a bit more common now, as there is a nice cruciform twin bolt key drive version that sells for not too much, and is Sold Secure Bronze. Nice little lock. Not easy to pick unless you’ve got a tensioner to help. And it needs to be picked twice to open it. Probably not as good as the Zeiss original, though!

Also found on a few low end safes. I’ve got one on a key/combo door downstairs, the cruciform drives the boltwork instead of a handle.

Tom Gordon

I believe that no british manufacturer ever made them but in recent years a few applications have been imported mainly from the continent especially for garage doors and cars and a few other specialist applications but they have never taken off a sthey did abroad for normal use. I handled the picks made by pow’s in Colditz during the war. tThis type of lock was fitted after the Germans realised that big warded mechanisms were no good for a prison. The picks were “readers” made out of old tin cans.

Parautoptic

Re. NKT`s comment about STASI… I have a cruciform key that I found while exploring an abandoned soviet barracks in the former East Germany. When I find it again I shall post a picture. In the same place I found a building with a safe in nearly every room, they had all had the locks removed, I think by scrap metal collectors, because a lot of damage had been done and every bit of brass was gone. I have some pictures of these safes too, again, when I find them I will post.