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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Posts
    46
    Country: United States

    Default CORBIN, Power lever type padlock

    I really wonder what manufacturers were thinking when they designed these power lever type padlocks. They can be easily picked with a simple Z-wire. I have seen some evidence of manufacturers using the more expensive lock components on the outside and the cheap power lever design on the inside. So, perhaps it was a cost savings. Then, one has to wonder how bit variations on the keys were addressed, if they were at all. Perhaps someone here knows the answer.

    I made a replacement key today out of bronze, not brass. I had to use a Z-wire to gap gauge the warding within the lock. Most of it was guess work. The key snaps the lock open beautifully.

    Corbin power lever with bronze key. https://imgur.com/a/xGAJLQL

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Tonawanda, NY, USA
    Posts
    900
    Country: United States

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Lauren View Post
    I really wonder what manufacturers were thinking when they designed these power lever type padlocks. They can be easily picked with a simple Z-wire. I have seen some evidence of manufacturers using the more expensive lock components on the outside and the cheap power lever design on the inside. So, perhaps it was a cost savings. Then, one has to wonder how bit variations on the keys were addressed, if they were at all. Perhaps someone here knows the answer.
    It appears to be a Corbin Cabinet Lock Co. No. 09805 cast brass padlock. Found on pg. 46 of their 1928 Cat. No. 38, the description reads "Made in 6 changes", curious that such a lock would offer so few key changes, I guess it was a different era in terms of security! The vintage Master Lock No. 66 1-3/4" Little Giant wrought lever tumbler padlock from the era only had 12 changes. See thumbnails attached.

    Pete Schifferli
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails CCL09805castBrassPadlock.jpg   MasterNo66LittleGiantPadlock.jpg  

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Posts
    46
    Country: United States

    Default

    That's great! Thank you for your research. It makes me wonder now just how accurate I was in cutting the key.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    148
    Country: United States

    Default

    beautiful!

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