Any ideas on how to get this open?

patriksstudio

Hi there
I’m wondering if someone knows how to get this open. I found it at a flea market. I know nothing about locks but I thought this one was cool. It’s unusual because the letters of each of the dials are not the same. Seems that the first and last dials are similar letter layout but not exact. The same for the two center ones. Any other info on age, manufacturer etc is much appreciated.
Thanks!

Billy B Edwards Jr. CML

Those locks were manufactured by many companies, both in the US and elsewhere. I have heard conflicting information that they were initially invented in China or in France. Typically many of them may be set to a particular letter combination but there are some that can’t be reset.

Any local locksmith should be able to determine the combination for you, we don’t comment on opening methods for instructional purposes because of the security risk. The same locksmith can tell if it can be reset or not as well. They generally sell for upwards of $60.00. Hope that helps,
BBE.

patriksstudio

Thanks for the info. Any idea how old it is? As for opening methods, I understand, however do you think that the locking mechanism is lock is similar to common bicycle type locks?
Thanks

Billy B Edwards Jr. CML

They are similar to current bicycle locks but may be harder to open because they are metal instead of plastic. There really isn’t any way to accurately date them but I would guess yours was made within a few years either side of 1900.
BBE.

patriksstudio

thanks so much!

oldlocks

Most of the locks of that kind are French - made until around 1950. They have ¾/⅚/⅞ wheels. The 4 wheel type is the most common. The combination can be changed once the lock is opened.
To open: set the right combination and pull sideways the right part of the body, that will realease the shackle.
They were all factory set to the same combination : ROME. Try it it may work.

patriksstudio

They were all factory set to the same combination : ROME. Try it it may work.<

Thanks for the info it’s age and origin. I tried ROME, but the combination doesn’t have a “r” in the first wheel. Do you think it might actually be a “word” that is set. That might make my answer easier to find! :-🙁call):

oldlocks

So the combination was changed from the factory one.
I had many of these locks to open either for me or for other collectors and it was almost always a name. Good luck!

patriksstudio

Got it open! Thanks! Any ideas on how to chance the combo to something I can remember?

forgottendoll

Thank you so much, oldlocks! I have the same type of padlock and I managed to open it easily with ROME as you said. I wonder how many days of struggle do I owe you 🙂