Thanks for the compliments guys. About the safe security, I don't think these holes would give an easy access to the lock. The mechanism is protected by some steel plates and messing with it without knowing exactly what to do won't make you open the safe. Punching the lock is the best method to break into these small safes, and the manufacturer knew it. In fact you see the door has an additional L shaped anchor point next to the lock bolt. This should provide additional strength to the 4 big bolts that keep the lock attached to the inside of the door. A quite secure safe for its time.

I started disassembling the lock to clean it and to see how it works. A small flat head screwdriver is all I needed.


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Nothing to worry about till now. Then I started to be a bit worried but went ahead anyway. This is the lock core. It was quite easy to remove it from the lock assembly.


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Now I expected flying springs but luckily they didn't. The levers are under light spring pressure so I managed to keep them in place by simply wrapping my hand around the steel cover while I removed it. Then I immediately put them in a small plastic box with compartments because I didn't want to loose any.


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I've put a rubber band around the 8 levers to keep them up and show you the cuts. Keep in mind they're upside down. Usually they can't be pushed out because there's the steel cup around the plug, and the springs keep them pushed towards the lock center.


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Here is a video I made to show how the key interacts with the levers and how the plug and the lock plate work together.



Here is the lock after I cleaned it with a toothbrush and some car body polish. Then I wiped it with a clean rag and a clean toothbrush. This lock isn't damaged or rusted so I don't think it needs more work.


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I'm wondering if I need to apply some lithium grease to protect the steel surface of the lock. Since it rubs against the big cup that contains it, I think it'll need some grease over there. Do I need to oil or grease the levers too? They're in contact with brass that I'm not willing to oil or grease. As far as I know brass doesn't need oil or grease.
Suggestions are welcome about this, because I'd like to reassemble the lock before going on with the restoration of other parts.


Cheers :)