key for yale lock

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08-12-17, 02:34 AM
mettler

key for yale lock

Hi -

I am desperately searching for a key for this lock. The lock is on an old Hartmann steamer trunk. I have called Hartmann with no luck, tried to call yale, spoken with numerous antique key/trunk shops, but I can't find any key that matched the LH6 on the front of the lock. The lock is made by Yale. I'll try to upload a picture later. Does anyone know if I am supposed to be looking for a key with LH6 or something else?

thanks
08-12-17, 03:18 PM
Timothy

key for yale lock

Maybe you should try call Locksmith and give him that key number LH6. That may be code number for that key and could cu a key for you.....Timothy......
08-12-17, 04:05 PM
Pschiffe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timothy

Maybe you should try call Locksmith and give him that key number LH6. That may be code number for that key and could cu a key for you.....Timothy......

Some locksmiths have access to the Majestic Trunk Key Book, Vol. 1 published back in the 1930s; which shows a silhouette for LH6 on pg. 39. This cuts on Majestic 507M, Yale TA5658UG, Graham 2640AL, Old Ilco 1060A or Keil 180Z key blank all of which are unfortunately long obsolete. A competent locksmith can still fashion a key to fit using the available information, perhaps by modifying a similar key blank to fit. There is a supplier that specializes in old and hard to find key blanks and their BD413 should work. Your locksmith will know who they are, however note that they only deal with trade professionals; and do not sell to the general public.

Pete Schifferli
08-12-17, 05:38 PM
Timothy

key for yale lock

As what Pete said or you can look up Antique Steamer Trunk. I found two an call o email to them.....Timothy......
https://www.brettunsvillage.com/trunks/howto/parts/keysfortrunks/

http://www.stevensantiquetrunks.com/trunkkeys.html
08-12-17, 10:52 PM
Pschiffe
Quote:

Originally Posted by Timothy

As what Pete said or you can look up Antique Steamer Trunk. I found two an call o email to them.....Timothy......
https://www.brettunsvillage.com/trunks/howto/parts/keysfortrunks/
http://www.stevensantiquetrunks.com/trunkkeys.html

Those are good suggestions from Timothy. If you scroll down to the bottom of the Brettuns Village Trunk Shop website you will find the keys he stocks listed, I did not find LH7. If you choose to use the Stevens Antique Trunks search service specify:
1. Lock Mfg.: Yale
2. Key Number: LH6
3. Style: Corrugated
Pete Schifferli
09-12-17, 06:14 AM
mettler

thanks for the suggestions. I have long contacted all the steamer trunk people, those mentioned, and all the other ones I could find. None of them could help much, but said they would keep their eye open for a key. I have also gone through Etsy and Pinterest and emailed most of the people selling antique keys asking them to keep an eye for one.

I have been searching for the majestic key book for a while, but I haven't had much luck on that either.

I'll let you know what a locksmith has to say. I was really surprised that Hartmann had no record of it considering it is a Hartmann trunk.
09-12-17, 08:23 AM
nathanbonstein

pictures

would you have a close up of the lock ? I have 4 steamers but they all have eagle locks.
anyone have photo of the blank ? Found nothing in the reed books
09-12-17, 03:24 PM
mettler

1 Attachment(s)

Attachment 18977

this is it.. if it helps
09-12-17, 05:55 PM
Pschiffe

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mettler

thanks for the suggestions. I have long contacted all the steamer trunk people, those mentioned, and all the other ones I could find. None of them could help much, but said they would keep their eye open for a key. I have also gone through Etsy and Pinterest and emailed most of the people selling antique keys asking them to keep an eye for one.
I have been searching for the majestic key book for a while, but I haven't had much luck on that either.
I'll let you know what a locksmith has to say. I was really surprised that Hartmann had no record of it considering it is a Hartmann trunk.

There is a Majestic Trunk Key Book Vol. 1 on eBay right now, see Item 173017870189. Security professionals can also access both Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 online from the resources section of the paid member only ClearStar Security Network. See thumbnail for an image of the Old Ilco 1060A blank.

Pete Schifferli
10-12-17, 08:14 AM
nathanbonstein

once in awhile this store has older trunk keys and blanks radonsales9998
12-12-17, 09:57 PM
mettler

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pschiffe

There is a Majestic Trunk Key Book Vol. 1 on eBay right now, see Item 173017870189. Security professionals can also access both Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 online from the resources section of the paid member only ClearStar Security Network. See thumbnail for an image of the Old Ilco 1060A blank.

Pete Schifferli

Does the book happen to have a picture of what the cut key looks like that you could post - with some dimensions? Maybe I could 3d print one.

also, how much difference would there be between the LH6 and LH6ss key? I can find LH#ss keys in all number up to 12 except for 6. But, I am able to see a little bit of a pattern to what is being removed from the key as the numbers increase. I was thinking of getting the LH5ss and trying my luck, unless there are massive differences between the LH# and LH#ss

thanks
12-12-17, 10:45 PM
Pschiffe

2 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mettler

Does the book happen to have a picture of what the cut key looks like that you could post - with some dimensions? Maybe I could 3d print one.
also, how much difference would there be between the LH6 and LH6ss key? I can find LH#ss keys in all number up to 12 except for 6. But, I am able to see a little bit of a pattern to what is being removed from the key as the numbers increase. I was thinking of getting the LH5ss and trying my luck, unless there are massive differences between the LH# and LH#ss
thanks

The Majestic Trunk Key Book shows hand drawn profiles of the various keys without dimensions. It was a rather arcane method of originating keys by code but apparently common practice at the time. LH6 is found in Vol. 1 on pg. 39 while LH6SS is on pg. 45 of Vol. 2. The bittings appear to be similar, but not identical. I have attached images of both for what they are worth. I respectfully suggest you follow my earlier advice and have a competent locksmith source of the correct blank and make a key to fit the lock based upon the silhouette.
Attachment 19030 Attachment 19031

Pete Schifferli
13-12-17, 06:08 AM
mettler

Thanks so much. What I find interesting is that the key that we had was a square head key. I am beginning to wonder if it was a lh6ss. I am going to grab on the SS keys on ebay and see if I can make it work.

I have searched high and low for the key blanks too, but I am not having much luck.

thanks again
17-12-17, 04:17 AM
mettler

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pschiffe

The Majestic Trunk Key Book shows hand drawn profiles of the various keys without dimensions. It was a rather arcane method of originating keys by code but apparently common practice at the time. LH6 is found in Vol. 1 on pg. 39 while LH6SS is on pg. 45 of Vol. 2. The bittings appear to be similar, but not identical. I have attached images of both for what they are worth. I respectfully suggest you follow my earlier advice and have a competent locksmith source of the correct blank and make a key to fit the lock based upon the silhouette.
Attachment 19030 Attachment 19031

Pete Schifferli

I got my key - an LH5SS. It is the correct shape-factor. Its in the key slot, but only goes in half way. Is there anyway you can upload a picture of the LH5SS? I can then print them and put them on top of each other to see what kind of mods I need to make to the 5SS.

thanks
17-12-17, 08:11 PM
Pschiffe

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mettler

I got my key - an LH5SS. It is the correct shape-factor. Its in the key slot, but only goes in half way. Is there anyway you can upload a picture of the LH5SS? I can then print them and put them on top of each other to see what kind of mods I need to make to the 5SS.
thanks

That thumbnail is the image and about as clear as it is going to be, likely a third generation or more copy. I did a pdf of the entire page which is attached if that helps any.
Attachment 19043

Pete Schifferli
17-12-17, 09:30 PM
mettler

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pschiffe

That thumbnail is the image and about as clear as it is going to be, likely a third generation or more copy. I did a pdf of the entire page which is attached if that helps any.
Attachment 19043

Pete Schifferli

perfect I actually printed 1:1. Now I get to see how well I can modify.
20-12-17, 10:57 PM
nathanbonstein

there is a 1060c on ebay,looks simular with yale bow
coolstufftobuy11
21-12-17, 03:58 AM
Pschiffe

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanbonstein

there is a 1060c on ebay,looks simular with yale bow
coolstufftobuy11

Old Ilco 1060C is similar to Old Ilco 1060A, but not the identical milling; see thumbnail attached.

Pete
23-12-17, 06:58 PM
mettler

1 Attachment(s)

Thanks for all the help. I got the LH5SS key to open the trunk. I was hoping the missing LH6SS key was inside, but it wasn't. I had to do two small mods to the key that are circled in red. I used my small file kit and JB Weld and went back and forth with turning the key to see what marks were made by the lock and then file a little off at a time. The first thing I learned was that the key only goes in half way. I thought it was going to go in all the way. That stumped me for a while. Second, was that the yale lock is spring loaded, so you have to give the key a little extra twist to get the lock open. I am really happy. My wife will enjoy the key in her stocking as well.

thanks again and happy holidays.

Attachment 19073