[491] Vintage Zeiss Ikon 211D (Cruciform) Mortise Lock Picked

[@RPRosen-ki2fk]

The pin that hit you in the eye, is a secondary security pin to deter tampering. I believe it is called, an ... attack pin.

[@u.v.s.5583]

Now, that's what they call an exploding pin. The high security version actually shoots a bullet at you when tampered with.

[@mfree80286]

@@u.v.s.5583 Make a tamper capsule that the key can never strike, but can be accessed with a pick and ruptures to flood the mechanism with thin CA. You seize the lock solid and with any luck capture the picker's tools as well. It's the equivalent of glass plate mounted workings on combination safes, any attempt to drill the face breaks the glass and disables any means of pulling the bolts.

[@Lazarus7000]

@@mfree80286 Too much opportunity for griefing with that, basically, people will use it to do sabotage at every level. It is already possible to build locks that seize up when picked and it is rarely employed because the end result is of dubious value.

[@benisted1614]

@@Lazarus7000 Aye, although LPL recommends one and has a video on how to modify a Quikset to do so.

[@blankblank4949]

@@Lazarus7000 it interesting, i can see the value in knowing if someone was trying to pick your lock. at the same time it means you get locked out of wherever you need to go if it happens. but at the end of the day if someone picked your lock youd probably want to call a locksmith and an officer regardless

[@netking66]

The Germans installed cruciform locks in Colditz Castle when it was a maximum security POW camp in WW2 (British military officers who escaped from other camps were sent there. The Germans thought that the Crucifom locks were foolproof. However one of the prisoners was a watchmaker and was given tools by the guards in exchange for fixing their watches. He made a specialised caliper which would fit in the keyhole to measure the pin depths when the plug was tensioned. Then he would produce a key. They were extremely careful not to give the Germans any inkling that they had compromised the locks. Source - Pat Reid's 'The Colditz Story' published 1955. Pat called the pin tumblers 'pistons'.

[@goodluck6948]

that's very interesting!

[@KkKk-xh8em]

Awesome book

[@MarcKulhavy]

What I can tell you from the packaging is that this particular lock was produced between 1970 and 1980, as the style of the company logo reveals. Although the system was first used around 1930 from Zeiss, it was mainly used in the 1950's for the "Deutsche Bahn", the german railroad company, although they used 9 pin locks with more security pins in it.

[@MattiBlume]

In the 50s it was still Deutsche Bundesbahn and a government agency, not a company.

[@JC-11111]

Man, you really spoil us, LPL. I never realized just how good your vids really are until I watched someone besides BosnianBill. Not that I though they were bad. I've always thought they were extremely informative and good content overall. I did notice that a lot of people don't narrate what they're doing while they pick. They don't talk at all. They just sit there with the camera recording them fidget inside of a keyway while we sit there bored as hell, wondering what exactly they're actually doing. Thanks for making such great content. We appreciate it.

[@Dluzak1]

The key looks like a perfect pocket shredder.

[@dsloop3907]

And a nasty pointy poker for the groin, also a deadly weapon.

[@kingbela88]

Dluzak1 it is indeed..

[@AAAyyyGGG]

I've carried these keys while I was living in Turkey; along with other keys on a keyring they don't really cause a problem... :-)

[@nikkiewhite476]

That is a beautiful lock! Thank you for showing it to us! I love seeing the vast variety of locks you find and disassemble for us.

[@clintlion5531]

I’m addicted to your channel have been for a year now. Esoteric channels like yours are the best way to learn about worlds you never knew existed; especially ones like yours. So informative

[@Nunez87]

these types of locks are very much in use in denmark, always as a 2 lock door combo where you tend to have a standard Ruko and one of these further below. I always thought they were impossible to pick due to the key design, but of course as we have learned from other weird key designs, it just means more pins.

[@johndododoe1411]

And it only has 6 pins like a current Ruko, just next to each other instead of along the depth.

[@TheOsfania]

Zeiss Ikon made wonderful cameras (Contaflex, Contarex, Contax); Zeiss lenses are still some of the best in the world. I didn't know that they made locks, but given their ability to machine just about anything well, it doesn't surprise me.

[@JeffLMisc]

to release the laquer, you can try touching the screw heads with a soldering iron ... sometimes that melts the laquer so it can be removed

[@cbfrider]

As far as I can tell, it says February 1982 on the paper, you can see that around 0:38 as „02.82“. So at least you can tell the revision of that print, meaning the lock most probably was produced after that date.

[@RuneInternational]

those locks are still used as extra lock on most old doors in Copenhagen, and people think they are the safest lock in the world. .. trying to explain the concept of only 6 brass pins and a keyway shaped as a philips screwdriver. they can be opened to rekey, but they sell repin kits with the lock body section and 3 keys to make a fast replacement after a drill session.

[@Ucceah]

seems to be a european thing. these little double sided locks have intrigued me since i was a kid. they were common-ish in germany for decades, to retrofit basic, and old to ancient doorlocks. and are still avalable as an Einbausicherung. (build-in protection/security). a Schlosssperre (literally lock-lock :D ) is a variant you slip into the old lock after locking it, lock it up, and later remove it with the key to unlock the actual lock with it's own key. it's clever and somehow hilarious.

[@solinvictus2018]

Same here in Norway. They were used as extra locks, for extra security, back in the days...

[@ogsvx]

..and in winter there'd be frost on the inside of the lock, around the key hole 😄

[@bogfinken]

Should've been labelled: *Do not try to disassemble* *Will shoot*

[@YamiSuzume]

Germans arent americans

[@AutisticThinker]

6:56 - Nah that is anti-disassembly protection, worked as intended. :)

[@drawerganizer785]

That mechanism they use to actuate and lock the bolt is so elegant.

[@I_leave_mean_comments]

The best part about locks like this is that you can have "security through obscurity". I had a door in my old house growing up that had a lock like this (not cruciform, but fully in the door) that was hidden among molding on the door.

[@pippolacoste8547]

Ha! My home lock in Italy! It's not the main lock but an additional security lock. I love the key!

[@twentytwo_22]

6:49 i think that could be some high level of German trolling right there. Really cool Video again! :)

[@galdavonalgerri2101]

Be happy it was not sharp ended or poisoned. Evil trap. You could sue the company for some million $?

[@2dark_4fortnite88]

@@galdavonalgerri2101 you kinda dark...

[@JasperJanssen]

We had them on our old house (we installed them in the 80s, when there were a lot of burglaries), and we have two on our front door in the new house as well, installed by the previous owner before we moved in 1991.

[@redcatimaging]

Wow that's a pretty cool gear mechanism :). Thanks for taking it apart, it was pretty interesting and I havn't seen something like this before :).

[@rustylocks1330]

Great video as always, I have a cylinder version similar to yours with 4 pins on three sides and some angled warding on two of the sides. Glad to hear you got a good deal on yours!

[@Gamer3427]

I wonder if the fact that this lock is accessible from either side means you could find a way to set up a small light and camera on the other side, (maybe with the lock itself held in a vice), to record the actual picking process in a way that we could see the details of what you're doing inside the lock? Assuming you haven't done something similar in another video, of course. If so, if someone could direct me to the video I would appreciate it.....

[@danielroglich3309]

Great job picking brother as always,a very interesting find, love how it can be opened on both sides of the lock.Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@gilbertodiazcastro8871]

If you heat it with a lighter the lacquer will give and you can get them out without damage. Then soak them in acetone to remove the residue.

[@TheGrizzlyBeer]

Locks like this are widely used by the DB, the major German railway company for a lot of their infrastructure.

[@StSdijle]

This is curious in many ways. Zeis is originally known for photographic optics. As the logo tells as well: it is a sketch of a double lens system.

[@PleegWat]

It's fun to get directed to one of these and have it actually be about a lock that's in your front door. I've got a pair of these as additional locks. Hard to be certain, but looks exactly like in the video. The cruciform part goes into the door entirely - almost 2cm to the first pin. And add to that since they're additional locks they're not at normal hip height, but at eye or knee height.

[@Sedokun]

5:44 "You going to be picking this at depth. Probably, at least a half inch of door..." Wait, are those locks still in production? Really beautifully crafted lock. Our neighbors had a similar lock back in the 90s (in Russia).

[@JasperJanssen]

Oh yes. Still super common in Europe. What you do is you don’t replace the old lock, you just add two of these.

[@MrWiggenhammer]

@@JasperJanssen Exactly, that's what we used to do all over the Netherlands at least. Later in the 2010's it became more common to have a bolt with 2 hooks activated by a single key but in my teens, every front door had at least one of these besides the normal lock.

[@LockNoob]

Great lock and picking. I do love those cross locks :-)

[@Rundik]

My neighbors had a similar lock. They asked me once for a screwdriver, because they forgot a key. And it worked!

[@tonyholt90]

IV seen similar locks in Madria and seems to be serface mount type! so easy to work on ! interesting video, nice to see how they work!!

[@JEMHull-gf9el]

Really cool you found it basically NOS. I have a similar one but its beat to hell and was somewhat a disappointment from a picking standpoint.

[@mattikaki]

Finnish Boda 428 Security Lock has the same option. You can use it both outside and inside with the same key. It still is the most popular extra safety lock here in Finland and the key looks like those used in safes. My dad was assembling those in 70’s .

[@levi501ize]

used to fit a pair of these to the older style up and over garage doors of the 70 and 80's.

[@lostandfound1004]

cool, I bet it looks clean on a door from the out side or inside. like a single 3/8 hole, sounds cool, but seems wimpy in picking. I'm surprised the overseas picks didn't works. Thanks again buddy

[@MCPicoli]

As of 2019, these locks are very popular in Brazil. They're called "tetra" locks and are manufactured by many companies since the 1980s. Most professional lockpickers here have specialized tools like the ones shown at the start of the video (but with shorter "teeth"), and can pick "tetra" locks in mere seconds.

[@ganjajoe2566]

Amazing score! Wow!! NIIIICE! You're a Master Bargain-Hunter! Beautiful picking of this oddball lock!

[@lunazet721]

Those type of locks are very common here in México. Edit: Not exactly like that but they use the same key from both sides.

[@ROGER2095]

I have a couple big, old, dense, oak doors that originally had mortise locks, but I filled in the holes and put in a regular Quickset locks because I didn't know anybody still made mortise locks. If only I'd have known.

[@tommypetraglia4688]

Sorry but you didn't look very hard www.baldwinhardware.com/world-of-baldwin/beauty-inside-and-out Just to name one. And if they were quality brass locks, which by their age they prbly were, they could have easily been rebuilt and refurbished and reused. I worked in high end residential as a carpenter for 20 years and occass. my builder would reno an estate house abd we would sent all the locks to a locksmith to restore... which a some times required machining some of the internal brass works - not a big deal Any reputable locksmith in your area would have steered you right so you wouldn't have destroyed what sounds like high quality millwork. Even a simple internet search would have started you right. If you have the locks take them to a guy and see what he says. Maybe you can reverse what you did, filling the bore holes, recutting the mortise and covering the repair on the faces with escutchions - perhaps custom made if need be. Would be a nice little project that would give you something to admire every time you passed by

[@Lucian_Andries]

Zeiss, from optical systems, to locks... :)))

[@fearofthere1893]

Im Working at Zeiss haha.

[@peterwiegel4778]

This locking mechanism is also made in east germany (GDR) by "VEB Schloßsicherungen Gera" as "Einbausicherung ES 52/76", to be build into normal room door locks to increase securety. In the GDR-times, the key-handle was made from plastic, mostly jellow orange or gray , with a little metal insert for the bidding. In 1990 the company changed their name to the name FRIPA, the lock insert remains the same, but the key changed to a more robust full steel version. That lock is still in production in Gera, now the company is named ISEO. The product name is ES5 2/82 now, exatly the same product, just the stamping on the key-handle has changed a little.. ISEO Locks made inn Gera are still widely used in east germany today, they producde high securety locks, with individual keyways für any customer, and a pin tumbler/Pin in Pin combination combined, I have on my door

[@mattikaki]

We had those assembled in the 50’s and 60’s here in Finland but then they were replaced by a Finnish BODA 428 safetylock. My dad assembled tons of those in the 70’s and they are still made. It can be opereted from both sides too and the key looks like a safe key. Would like to see how it’s picked. If I recall it right, it had over 15 mins pick resistance, but I may remember it wrong.

[@Toni302V8]

I recently picked exactly the same lock, on mine the screws did come out though so I can tell you what's inside (mine at least). So, in the plug there's three sets of two keypins. In the bible there's four sets of two drivers. I think it wouldn't work otherwise as you're supposed to take the key out after 180 degrees turn. Mine had one standard and one spool on each side, they all engaged too. The biggest challenge was to get everything back together, lol.

[@Ghorda9]

it should only take a quarter turn to engage the fourth bible.

[@westcoaststacker569]

Did you have a proper diameter follower? The first pin locks I rekeyed without one were a pain.

[@unclebrr8139]

This is pronounced as "tsaizs" :) German so German :) Thanks for the video!

[@Mainyehc]

I believe it’s the first time I’ve seen LPL pick a kind of lock I happen to use almost daily. These are stupidly common in Europe, especially a model designed specifically for those tempered glass doors with brushed steel faceplates and a cork-lined inset.

[@electrifyinglightningbolt]

That would be a great lock to install on a door here in the USA so when someone comes up to your door they would look and it and be like WTF?

[@thoughtful_criticiser]

I swapped one out of my mother in law's apartment gate a couple of years ago. The keys wear out if they are brass and so do the internal parts quite quickly. The keys are pocket shredders and worse, they're sharp enough to break skin.

[@jasonlee7484]

Interesting lock and clever design.

[@TheGasMaskGuy96]

well, that's Kraut Space Magic :D

[@sheemondallasgeorgia]

I always thought of Zeiss Ikon as a world renowned optics company. Interesting...

[@jaysonwanderer8739]

That is so cool. awsome lock!

[@jmm1233]

they made a lock very secure , can't even disassembly it , thats took forethought not many new lock designers do nowadays

[@Potti314]

Very interesting design, thanks for showing.

[@PFLMCTT]

I think you could dissolve the lacquer with some solvent. I probably would try acetone first since CA based lacquer is so commonly used in certain industries.

[@ramonvillagomez6924]

Fkn awesome bro!! Keep it up! Your understanding and knowledge of locks is something yearned for!

[@tommypetraglia4688]

Damn. I clicked specifically to see the inside of this cylinder. Maybe with the tips about removing the lacquer (acetone or Mrs LPL's nail polish remover) he will make another vid to give us a peek

[@harveygussow7913]

This is we’re I must make a statement. This company is well known all over the world for there optical contributions. When I was selling optical products they were pronounced as “ ZEISS I-KON” the range of this company has just doubled in there value to me.

[@LordCarpenter]

The document that came with the lock appeared to have a date of 02.82 at the bottom. This is common document dating method used by many companies.

[@mynock250]

I picked up a newer Assa Abloy Ikon cross lock a few months ago used in bank night deposit drops haven't got around to trying it yet.

[@cavemansparkey4949]

Really great job on that cross lock

[@isaacmarte3520]

You can push that "don't want to take apart due to lacquer" message all you want lpl, we all know you don't want to have to put it back together! Lol

[@Leonslockpad]

very nice picking buddy ive picked a few cruciform locks there very nice to pick.cool video👍😊😊😊😊😎😎😎😎😎

[@thespiritof76..]

FYI acetone, lacquer thinner or lacquer retarder might re-liquify the lacquer I’d that’s what it is... if epoxy it mite require some heat from a heat gun to loosen

[@lmars5933]

L.P.L. GREAT VIDEO very very interesting and very well explained. beautiful lock would love to own one.thanks for sharing 😎😎😎😎😎🔓

[@stig..locks..r956]

very well thought out and picked my friend cary on whith the videos and thanks stiglocks..r

[@TheDoccMan]

8:32 amogus

[@PhantomFuego]

Thank you for the content

[@szabib2144]

What lock do you use on your home, lock picking lawyer. Very interesting in knowing what you feel is best.

[@jasminelognnes989]

When you say it is a "Vintage Zeiss Ikon 211D", does that mean it is different from the ones you can buy today? I were under the impression that these locks would never get picked?

[@seriousthree6071]

So, they could have put another 6 pins in reversed from the first 6 so the whole key comes into play making it ar least twice as hard?

[@briangrant1798]

those Cruciform style locks are cool. I've never tried picking one though, because I don't think my skills are quite to that level yet.

[@AalbertTorsius]

Actually (as LPL shows) they're not that hard. Especially when not in use, you have good access to the pins.

[@tsfcancerman]

we had the same type of key in our housedoor over 24 years ago but it onoy had one big bolt going into the frame, it was called a security lock in norway

[@DonzLockz]

Cool to get a NOS complete box! Seems a bit thin though for a regular door. ✌

[@xrayneoo]

If you're curious about the pings, they may be removable thru the caps. It may be easy to slide it away. Sorry about your eye, hope you're ok.

[@freyabaade2810]

I'm confused. How do you lock your doors from the inside, when it's unusual to be able to use it from both sides?

[@aamonline5049]

"LPL really had the makings of a Varsity Dentist"

[@michaelboty2346]

Nice video, thank you, and as always good skills.

[@frenat]

Would the packaging or inserts have any copyright dates on it that might help in determining the age?

[@vytautasvaitiekus9215]

We have a similar kind of lock that takes 3 full rotations to unlock. I hope that at least that would keep anyone away for a bit of a while.

[@MaxGriffinJames]

Very cool lock.

[@prsm3]

finally i foond a picking vid. of an lock from my country

[@JC-11111]

My little cheapo safe has a cruciform key. Haven't seen many but I don't look for em, either

[@teddonovinchi3800]

Very cool lock!

[@ryanaegis3544]

Good to know I am not the first to dream up the cruciform key. But sheesh, if you have that long of a key, why would you not put at least five notches on each quarter? And no need to be mirror image or symmetrical let the handle tell which way to insert the key. Really, the only good thing about this is that you can fit the entire lock inside a door.

[@Zimiorg]

These locks are still used at the "DEUTSCHE BAHN" (german railway company) today :-)

[@gregiep]

Could you use a plug spinner to avoid picking it a second time?

[@mr.mercury4247]

Only thing I don't like about this lock is you can see through it.

[@FroggyMosh]

This key grew up dreaming of becoming a Phillips screw driver. The world had other plans for him. He was doomed to be pressed back into the mold. *Just another brick in the wall.* _Fear builds walls_

[@thespiritof76..]

LPL the term “wiper insert” you used when referring to your tension tool. Is that a literal term? Do you make those yourself from windshield wiper blades?

[@dielaughing73]

That's exactly what it means. I thought it was some secret trade jargon but no

[@bradleyb4178]

Second :D Woo. Great picking video as always!

[@KevinK88]

What are the little notches in the grip part of the keys? i noticed them in some keys

[@worldtraveler930]

They are to indicate how to insert the key into the lock

[@MsSchatten]

Echt schöne Schlösser

[@Collateralcoffee]

theee lobe of theeee keyway...

[@160rpm]

These locks tend to be tough to turn even when you have the key, maybe they just need some oil

[@Kr-nv5fo]

RTFM, it orders you not to oil them! Only flake graphite is permitted!

[@160rpm]

oh, well I guess that might be why many of them are hard to turn ;)

[@andreyserov4636]

Zeiss is eastern-german corporation. How is it made in "Western Germany"?

[@user-qd9sb2wk8c]

perfecto buen video excelente

[@joansummers873]

Wow, didn't know Zeiss made locks as well. Thought they only made Lenses. Unless, this is a different company?

[@joansummers873]

Heros Stratos cool, nice tidbit of history

[@bepowerification]

ah, good old times when "made in w. germany" meant whatever it is its high quality..

[@rosiefay7283]

But "Western Germany" and not West Germany?

[@bepowerification]

@@rosiefay7283 they used both terms, west and western.

[@danpalu2308]

I have this lock. Always leave the key in when home, turned 45 degrees. How difficult would that be to pick from the other side?

[@harshnemesis]

if you turn the key 45 degrees that would mean the person would have to turn the key before pushing it out. Depending on how smoothly your lock runs that wouldn't be too hard with pliers to turn and even easier would be using a head of a phillips screw since the key tip is exactly like a phillips screwdriver(the most common screws). The good news is: If the key is pushed out it will be dropped on the floor which will make noise... unfortunately however the picker might choose not to push the key out at all and just continue turning the still engaged key past the first 45 degrees(that would be a smarter choice) and never have to even pick the lock.. so it's really not a good idea to leave the key in a lock where the key is sticking out on the other side as the picker can simply take the advantage of that tip. A better idea would be to put the key in just slightly.. so it cannot be turned, but it still just barely holds itself in... that way if someone sticks anything inside the lock the key will drop on the floor and make the otherwise quiet job, not so quiet

[@michaelboty2346]

The top cuts are palindromic, the side cuts cross over side to side, the cuts on your key do not show this because of their. bittings