[642] American Brass Barrel Padlock Picked

[@pb222221]

In the Navy we used to have parts shipping containers that had a guarded area for round bodied locks to fit in. It was a PITA to get them on and off but it prevented anyone from getting to any part of the lock except the key hole face. The locks would get a serial number engraved on them and the number would be recorded in the log book for the shipping container. Usually the serial number matched the bitting numbers. We would rivet the chain into the side of the container to keep the lock paired with the container. We transitioned to the standard 40mm shape because fitting/removing a barrel lock with a shielded container while the ship was rocking was almost impossible.

[@vincentmercier8595]

Patrick Burke so in this case I guess the brass shackle make a lot of sens for salt water protection, while it was protected from bolt cutters?

[@beaubrowning7307]

Navy aviation also uses these locks frequently on tool boxes. The chain is riveted to the box to prevent loss of the lock, and these locks also retain the key while the shackle is open, preventing loss of the key. Losing something even as minor as a key can shut down flight operations for a squadron, even for an entire aircraft carrier.

[@stampydragon2739]

I also saw these locks but they were given to us by the us cadet corps when on a training ship in the U.K. there were 4 locks given to each unit of the English sea cadet corps from east Kent my commanding officer gave me the ones given to my unit and asked me too see how easy they were to pick open and to increase the picking resistance if they were too easy we now use 3 of them to secure hatches to engine compartments on some of our power boats and I was given the 4th when I got promoted to the highest rank the cadets hade at the time I took a look at it the other day under a 40x magnification lens and it had names of all the us cadets and cadets from my unit at the time I only looked at it through Magnification cos I noticed the finish was different to the one in your video

[@rileyfenley522]

From the comments it seems to be used a lot in the Navy, several have mentioned the brass not sparking, but it also won’t corrode.

[@lockpickinglawyer]

I fully understand why brass was used... I don’t understand 3/4lbs of it.

[@bird718]

since the US Government brought those locks, the brass construction and weight was most likely enough to be its main selling point. "look at this high quality brass lock, its solid, strong, it will last forever etc... $180 per unit, for ever 100k you buy well include a free case of Graphite Lubricant"

[@lockpickinglawyer]

Funny... because it’s true. ☹️

[@dougd1335]

If I'm ever an adult movie star my name is totally gonna be the brass barrel

[@dougd1335]

TitanSilver354 I'm the filler...not the fillee....i should have been more specific for those that swing the other way

[@iBeast_M0de]

Doug D Wait so you’re saying yours is stubby? Since it’s a barrel? Haha just joking man, I will remember this joke to akwardly time it when I am out drinking with the lads

[@dougd1335]

iBeast_M0de no worries. I'm not taking it seriously, by all means have fun with it. That's why I posted it!

[@matrucksbroke]

The reason it's barrel shaped is so you can hold it easier while picking.

[@lockpickinglawyer]

Lol. Probably. 👍

[@joelbelden9361]

llama burgers m 54

[@RevMikeBlack]

It's certainly a beautiful lock. It looks like nice craftsmanship.

[@DonzLockz]

Aww, so cute. It's a baby Rotalok! 😁👍🏽

[@BMWguns]

Material choice was of brass being non ferrous, can be used in shipboard magazine and around other flammable areas.

[@bdf2718]

Brass is also the material of choice shipboard because of corrosion resistance in a salt-spray environment.

[@BMWguns]

this is also true but Salt+brass=verdigris is that is nasty to got off.

[@HelpfulLockPicker]

Nice picking! I am glad you seem to agree that they are Master Keyed. All of mine at least feel like they are when I pick them. These are really beautiful and fun little locks to own :)

[@AsRedAsBlood7]

American Lock - Made in Mexico.

[@THR33STEP]

It said assembled in Mexico.

[@Rama_Guru]

NAFTA

[@Quetzalcoatlv3]

Americans haha xD That's how Mexicans get keys to your locks :D

[@jafromwi1]

Mexico is in America if I'm not mistaking.

[@TheKetsa]

Made in China, Assembled in Mexico.

[@christopherlawler3033]

Master acquired American in 2005... After, which manufacturing of American Lock components were moved or relocated from Crete, Illinois to Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Master Lock Corporate Headquarters...) and basic assembly operations were moved or relocated to Mexico, where the labor laws are nonexistent and the labor is significantly cheaper than paying American workers by the hour to assemble/manufacture padlocks. As per the round-cylindrical shaped brass padlock as featured in this particular video, based on the American Lock logo, it was manufactured after Master Lock Company had acquired the American Lock Company in 2005. Master Lock soon took over the government contract production operations by incorporating their line of laminated steel & laminated brass padlocks into the GSA contract for producing "low-security" ASTM Grade-2 padlocks; although these laminated government padlocks do contain ball-bearing locking mechanisms, because they must be able to survive a shackle-pull test of 2,000 lbs. in accordance with the test criteria & specifications as outlined in ASTM Grade-2 padlock security level testing. To my knowledge, the only American Lock products that are still available with valid & current NSN's (National Stock Numbers) are the American Lock solid body steel padlock (A-5200 Series) and the brass bodied A-5560B, and the ASL-40, all contain 5-pin tumbler mechanisms with Master Lock's basic W-17 or W-27 key-ways solid-brass cylinder, that reportedly has no significant security enhancements or attributes, such as drill-resistant stainless-steel pins, spool or serrated driver pins... etc. The A-5200-GL series lock is still nearly identical to its commercially produced & marketed counterpart with the exception to its standard 5-pin brass cylinder, key-retaining functioning actuator and its zinc-chromate finish versus chrome-plating for commercially produced 5000-series solid steel padlocks.

[@lockpickinglawyer]

Thanks for the interesting info. 👍

[@samlott99]

So what is the model number of this barrel lock? do you know? thx

[@jeremiahkennedy1683]

I've always liked the look of barrel locks. I've always wanted to pick one. Great pick and review. How is it disassembled?

[@lockpickinglawyer]

The bottom is crimped. No disassembly.

[@Lord_Errol]

Where I come from, this type and style of lock is known as a Navy lock.

[@pepperjack6421]

It’s most likely (as mentioned below) the Navy reasoning. We want a solid lock that can’t be easily opened, but in the event of a fire or mass conflagration we need to be able to bolt cutter them easily. I’m the locksmith on my ship, so every emergency I’m out in front getting access for the fire teams. The warded locks im through in a split second, these guys get the bolt cutter.

[@808Unionist]

U.S. DoD Government padlocks were made with brass shackles because they were mostly used for low-security personnel lockers. When I worked at PHNSY as an IMF Building Work Leader Marine Mechanic. I use to cut 100's of these brass locks off retired employee lockers. The Navy didn't care about this low-level security lock. Management just wanted fast access to get in. I wish I keep them because they are great lock-pick-training tools.

[@CandyGramForMongo_]

No disassembly?

[@vincentmercier8595]

CandyGramForMongo I believe this lock cannot be disasemble

[@topytopy]

You need to destroy the lock to disassemble :(

[@OlafoWaffle]

We used those to lock the armored doors of HUMVEEs when I was deployed to Iraq middle of the last decade.. They are very easy to get into with a set of bolt cutters.

[@Kit_Bear]

LPL, it could have been used on a foot locker or bedside locker hence the masterkey suite in-case a soldier etc lost his key. A steel shackle wouldn't be necessary in a low security environment like in a barracks. I could understand how picking could be a problem though considering how many soldiers there are, one of them is likely to have working knowledge on how to pick a lock. Fuel tanks and containers could also be another explanation which would explain the all brass construction to prevent sparks.

[@TechGorilla1987]

Frankly, this is a beautiful lock. Irrespective of the security and much like the Sparrows Revolver, it's a great, substantial conversation piece...The Revolver is a much more interesting tool though.

[@bikkiikun]

Assembled in Mexico... so very American.

[@williamvolkmann8658]

looks like it has a bit of self defense built into it,(someone jumps you it can be a weapon)

[@danielroglich3309]

Great picking brother as usual and thanks for the review!

[@johnjonz2472]

LPL, I have an abus 64TI/40. Three with the same key, from Amazon. I can't even get a false set. Any ideas of how you would try it. Which pick, tensioner ect?

[@lockpickinglawyer]

More tension, until you get a false set.

[@MultiVde]

Oh shiny :D I'd love to have one. Really cool lock.

[@MultiVde]

Ops went crazy on eBay 🙄

[@AlbertLebel]

Very nice. That is a strange looking key bitting there, almost looks filed.

[@padlok1520]

american lock keys of that era commonly had no peaks between cuts, just the 'sweeper' at the point. but it does look like 1&2 as well as 4&5 were cut on a shared slope rather than individual flats, if that's the case and not an illusion then that would be weird. 3 looks rounded but the same on both keys and the keys don't look worn. maybe both were cut from an old worn original?

[@RPRosen-ki2fk]

That was bothering me, looking at the keys. Thanks for the ... info & theory.

[@AlbertLebel]

Pad Lok That could be, I’m not sure, but that definitely some weird shaped keys. Thanks for sharing your thought on this. Always cool to hear/read back from people.

[@samlott99]

What is the actual Model # for this American Lock. I know it has an official model designation, that includes some letters and numbers, but I can't remember or find it right now. Anyone know? I own 4 of them. One of them has some "frozen" pins. I don't know what happened, but after the last time I picked it, with a short hook and TOK tension, it was an easy pick. The last thing I remember is I pushed the shackle back into the body, and turned the core with the wrench to secure it locked, as I had done many times before. Right then, the pins became frozen. I've tried several things short of damaging the lock. Any suggestions? Where I can send it? Can these be disassembled while in the locked position?

[@Kalroy3936]

round is easy to mass produce in a cnc lathe, no extra machining to make it rectangle.

[@AlisonWheeler]

Kyle Dana This beauty was made decades before CNC became a thing!

[@john-paulsilke893]

But not before the end mill and the lathe.

[@lockpickinglawyer]

It was made in 2006... as for mass production, don’t use round stock. Problem solved. 👍

[@UncleBubbles94]

LockPickingLawyer While that is possible, it is not the cheapest option. Round stock is usually the cheapest to purchase, and is by far the easiest to machine, and therefore keeps cost of production quite low vs. other lock shapes.

[@tonyholt90]

Erm I take it that you can't take it apart ? Looks like a lovely collectable padlock...

[@lockpickinglawyer]

Correct. It can’t be disassembled without harming it.

[@MichaelMantion]

If I had to guess the round body makes it harder to use a wrench to twist it. Thought a cheap pipe wrench should work so might not be all that important

[@lockpickinglawyer]

A pipe wrench would definitely wreck this without missing a beat.

[@PaulSteMarie]

The only reason that comes to mind for the barrel design is allowing the key to be at right angles to the shackle. Why one would care, I can't say.

[@toolthoughts]

what did they lock with these?

[@davidmartin2626]

In the Navy they were used for work spaces on ships.

[@alansgarage824]

The shackle is made of brass because its guaranteed that some E-1 is going to lose the key and is to scared to go up the chain of command to get the master key so they just cut it off super easy and replace it with another lock!!

[@BD90..]

Pretty cool. I thought it was a rota lock at first glance. I can only imagine this was for outdoor or marine use. And not required as high security. Who knows for certain though.

[@lockpickinglawyer]

Definitely a marine lock...

[@ryansmifh]

nice job lpl

[@JIDF_TaskForce]

Use these on the Navy. I think it's just so they can be easily cut to grant access in the event of loosing keys.

[@HeirApparent80]

What is the purpose of the chains on these locks? I've seen this before, but I've never heard anyone actually explain what the chain is used for.

[@Kit_Bear]

It's used to fasten to a gate, wall or other fixed object to prevent the lock from Dropping onto the ground which would damage it or to prevent it from becoming lost. it's not for locking to anything as some might think.

[@vincentmercier8595]

HeirApparent80 so nobody steal the padlock lol or loose it

[@maryannkolb-eckert4360]

Just picked one up today

[@jackdavis2258]

the reason that the lock body is cylindrical is to help prevent twisting the lock off with a wrench.

[@lockpickinglawyer]

I doubt it. You could easily twist that off with a screwdriver.

[@chriscarbone6855]

Can it come apart?

[@lockpickinglawyer]

Yes, but not non destructively. 😋

[@donkeytronic6155]

Brass does not spark when struck, this may be why

[@yuh377]

Im just wondering what is the average age of this channels viewers?

[@Eeda01]

34, female. I'm mainly watching these videos for the zen-effect. Watching someone competently fiddle with things is very relaxing :)

[@brucel.6078]

pie emerick 48 here

[@dantx4545]

48 Male

[@WineScrounger]

M 42.

[@WineScrounger]

Eeda01 totally agreed, you should try picking one day. Good exercise for hands and lower arms.

[@corriedunstan2668]

Excellent video Stephen!! Keep it up ste the channel is growing fast now.

[@aliceinmadseason2319]

Corrie Dunstan his name is Stephen? Spelled that way

[@lockpickinglawyer]

No, it’s not Stephen... spelled this way or any other.

[@corriedunstan2668]

LockPickingLawyer now come on Stephen don't be like that 😂😂😂 or is it Steven? Lmfao!

[@aliceinmadseason2319]

LockPickingLawyer well fine then..i thought we could be twins but nooooooo. Btw your my favorite lockpicking lawyer

[@devinweng6728]

I guess so it will be more resilient to smashing/squeezing, since a circle spreads the load evenly around the body making it harder to crack.

[@lockpickinglawyer]

Why would you attack the lock body when the 6mm shackle is so weak?

[@samlott99]

I own 4 of these. What I noticed immediately, is the bitting on the keys to the lock in this video. Not much to it. These are 5 pin locks. The keys in this video - well, interesting bitting to say the least.

[@glennwyant9533]

'Remarkably well built, perhaps too well built... It seems to me a very expensive way to build a padlock.' Because it was built for the government, not for the taxpayer.

[@lockpickinglawyer]

Yup. 😞

[@WineScrounger]

Isn’t it a NATO stock number?

[@bdf2718]

Technically, it's a NATO stock number. But it's called a National Stock Number in the US, because they invented the format (an expanded version of the old Federal Stock Number system).

[@WineScrounger]

bdf2718 interesting to know 👍

[@allenweston2275]

Yea but they are beautiful, and you got 30 of them. Government spends! No ,I think the cylinders fit into doors ,that you can't get to the shackles, like the brig or somthing

[@TheMrReee]

The simple answer is that products were made to a better quality years ago, it wasn't about massive profits, its was about pride in the products and offering value for money. Not so much nowadays?

[@kumuniven6637]

This lock is real god oh wht

[@FiveRustyNails]

It's NATO stock number, not National

[@lockpickinglawyer]

Not in the USA.

[@FiveRustyNails]

Forgive me, I have now come to understand that NSN is interpreted as National Stock Number in the USA but the other NATO countries have adopted Nato Stock Number. I should have checked that before commenting.

[@DARTwillRULErraawwrr]

DECENT

[@yeetmaster739]

Anyone else notice the bare spot on his left wrist, looks like someone was sharpening knives

[@lockpickinglawyer]

Maybe. 😁

[@lovecraftcat]

American lock™ Made in Mexico

[@CrimsonNL]

Assembled in Mexico, oh the irony

[@christopherlawler3033]

Master acquired American in 2005... After, which manufacturing of American Lock components were moved or relocated from Crete, Illinois to Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Master Lock Corporate Headquarters...) and basic assembly operations were moved or relocated to Mexico, where the labor laws are nonexistent and the labor is significantly cheaper than paying American workers by the hour to assemble/manufacture padlocks.

[@USARAY1947]

Our tax dollars at work.

[@moderatefkr6666]

Could it be that Killary and her girlfriends had a use for them...?