How to Open an Old Vintage Antique Trunk or Chest Lock

How to open an old trunk or chest for which you do not have the key. I looked all over the web and KZbin but could not find the answer. Hope this helps. These main latches were never meant to secure these storage trunks.

[@kgrasham]

Fun story....I locked my younger brother in this trunk when I was 6 (pre-internet!!)and couldn't get it open and then my parents couldn't get it open either.. there was lots of screaming and crying. I don't recall how my parents eventually opened it, but we are all scarred for life after that. My parents kept the trunk. 30 years later, my mom gives this SAME trunk to me when she moves for sentimental reasons (LOL). I actually used it for storage and put all my most prized possessions in it for safe keeping. Last month, I go to open it and then the key fails...over and over again. I spent days trying to unlock it unsuccessfully. I finally searched KZbin and found this stupid easy tutorial - worked like a charm. Now I am scarred for life twice, but have the knowledge to prevent a third PTSD event! (Maybe I should just burn the trunk!) Thanks!!!!!

[@calvinkeith5588]

Lmao thanks for sharing 😅😂

[@Dudyomajik]

Thanks man! You saved my kids birthday. The gifts were hidden and locked in a chest like that.

[@derekbroestler7687]

Hi, just your friendly neighborhood locksmith here.... With that lock it's just a T44, 45,46 series by Long Lock Company, all three of those series will open with a T46 key. These are the most common locks for newer old trunks and are used for ALL reproductions.. However on really old trunk locks, especially those made by Yale, Eagle, and others (and Long made some high security locks as well) this technique will not work (which is why us locksmiths charge so much for trunk lock calls, it COULD be a $2 key, or it COULD mean three weeks of searching for the right one online). Keys for these are available today as cheap precut stamped steel keys. You can usually find then for about $2 online by searching "Trunk key T46" and sometimes even in neighborhood hardware stores... That book, BTW is worth a bit of money to a locksmith who collects antique and vintage lock manuals.

[@bettyjackson16]

I had a screwdriver that was too large, but found that the more pointed side of scissors also works quite well well if used at the appropriate angle. Thank you so very much!!

[@GallowayChicago]

Thanks for sharing

[@GallowayChicago]

Sorry, Person born in 1967 who opened an old trunk containing a horoscope from the day they were born. I mistakenly deleted your wonderful comment. Please resubmit and include more details about what you found inside the old trunk. Thanks for watching Love from Chicago....

[@CH-nc6qr]

@ GallowayChicago I bought this exact model at an auction for $5, thank you so much for helping me get it open!... Do you have anymore information on this trunk (value, origin, etc.)??

[@debbiechilds3024]

You are awesome !!!! Thank you so much !!!! I got into my antique chest in 30 seconds!

[@randyaivaz3356]

Looks Like a T46 key works for this Trunk, eBay or Amazon for people who were looking. Good Video. Think you are only one showing this lock . Later

[@OrigamiJunkie]

Thank you, believing me 90% of people are here for totally legal reasons the other nine are bored, them one percent are trying to start their life of crime. I was bored.

[@GallowayChicago]

Thank for watching, Knowledge is a tricky thing. You can use it for good and bad, but I believe in the goodness of may fellow man (and woman). Love from Chicago.

[@bryancollins3420]

I’m not sure if there are different sizes of these locks, but if anyone else is having trouble with the size of the flathead screwdriver, 1/8” worked for me

[@HackerFiscalia]

Now I can recover all the gold. That's great.

[@mikei.9572]

Thanks so much!!! Your clear video let me open an old trunk in 10 seconds. I was about to take the trunk to a locksmith. You saved me much time and money! Thank you again.

[@trishamorski5610]

It worked! Super easy thank you so much you saved my trunk! I though we were going to have to break it off

[@GallowayChicago]

Thanks for watching. When it worked didn't you feel like a genius? I love that feeling of success. Love from Chicago.

[@mdwsb]

Thank you. While moving four of these out of my mother-in-law's attic, the latch caught on the door jam and locked the ONLY trunk for which we didn't have a key.

[@callmepad]

Thank you for this video! This worked for me but it was a bit tricky to get the feeling and I had to step away for a while and try again before I got it. For me the key was to position the tip of the screwdriver then tilt the top of the driver towards the trunk to settle as much metal of the screwdriver in the the notch when the key goes. Once that was set keeping pressure on the tip gently rotate like a clock and you should feel something turn and then it can pop outward.

[@MrJcirillo]

Is there anything youtube can't show you?? Your video here showed me how to open up an antique chest similar to the one you show here for the first time since I bought it about 30 years ago. Thank you!

[@gwynething]

Thank you!!!!!! this is amazing, I was messing around with a bobby pin forever until i found this

[@GallowayChicago]

Thanks for watching. I encourage all my viewer to make videos of things that interest you, especially if you can't find it on youtube.

[@hfrt29]

Well it's not working for me 😭

[@GallowayChicago]

Did you try slightly pushing the face of the lock in while trying to open it? Some trunk locks have been pulled or pried on and will require being pushed in slightly because the locking tabs have been bent and don't want to disengage. Try it again.

[@michaelsanders7775]

I was beyond frustrated trying to open an old family trunk . . I followed your instructions exactly, and presto! Thank you!!

[@vanessay.4892]

Yes! It worked. Took me 2 seconds. THANK YOU

[@GallowayChicago]

Glad it helped!

[@BrittanyBrown-zj8vf]

Thank you! My embroidery crafts have been locked away for a year! I found that a Bobby pin helped me more…I think my flat head was a little too big

[@WriterThinkerDogger]

This worked for me to unlock a bunch of wonderful letters between my parents. The trick was I had to lay the trunk down so that the lock was facing up. It did not work when I tried to do it with the lock in its normal vertical position.

[@mylittleriches2859]

Didn’t work for me unfortunately. Can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. 😢

[@Cookiecook253]

Me either

[@wyomatt]

My favorite part is how when this doesn't work after 10 minutes, that same screwdriver has enough power to pry the entire stupid latch right off the trunk so you never have to think about unlocking it again

[@ddot236]

Yo, it's crazy how I just did a KZbin search for how unlock a chest from 1960 and you happen to have the exact same one as my aunt did!!! I mean what are the odds!!! It took me quite a few trys to open but your how to worked for me. Thanks!!

[@GallowayChicago]

Thanks for watching. I try not to duplicate KZbin content. And, KZbin is one of the most important tools in my repair toolbox. When I could not find a video on opening these antique trunks I though, Time to get out the camera, because I could not be the only one looking for help. I remember when I was young, around 7 years old, my father had the same problem, but he used brute force and a very large screwdriver. Love from Chicago (for about 99% of all our problems, all we need is love with 1% patients)

[@ellapupper]

Use a screwdriver that is 4 or 5mm wide

[@willowallen4688]

You just helped my family reunite with old family relics. Thank you

[@jackjones9460]

Am amazed how easy that was. Have two locked trunks needing this technique. Thank you.

[@taurusgirl78]

Ty so much for this video!! I was able to get into my grandfather's old army chest!

[@cmrine5471]

Long story short ... THIS WORKED ... !!! My deceased folks had a trunk that has been with them since (letters show) 1953. I called several military surplus companies with no success in opening (saw, pry bar, 44 magnum). Sent pix to locksmiths and it was $75 for a service call or $50 to bring it in. Okay, I get it. It's a business. Your video was the first that came up in my search. The hardest part for me was finding a jewelers screwdriver. I put another screwdriver under the hasp (I'd already tried to pry it open) and this kept the pressure on it. At 90 degrees it didn't open but at 180 degrees, pop! Thanks again! Found a lot of great memories ...

[@deadworm7979]

Thank you so much!! We are moving out of my old house and we found stuff that we were looking for for years!!

[@lawandaollison1400]

By golly, it worked! 1st try. A million thanks.🎉

[@GallowayChicago]

I am going to cash in your 1 million thanks for 1 million You Welcomes. Life is Good and if it is not then you are not doing it right. :)

[@giselesmith5508]

OMG, it worked!! Locked my husband's old childhood trunk about 20 years ago and could never find the key. There was nothing in it, so not a big deal, but I still wanted to be able to open it without breaking the lock. Jumped for joy when it worked! Turns out there WAS something in it after all... the key! hahaha.😂😂😂

[@genera1013]

Lmao this sounds like something out of a comedy show!

[@keadrincain]

Thank goodness this vid is here lol, I finally got it! I didn’t have a narrow enough flathead screwdriver but my tweezers did the job 😅

[@carolscotti4168]

Awesome! I had not one but TWO trunks to open. At first I wasn't successful but decided to give it another try with a smaller flathead screwdriver based on the comments others had left. That did the trick! Thank you so much for posting!!

[@mariegarner8770]

If this works for my blue trunk thing I will be hugely grateful to you forever for showing this video. EDIT: I was doing it wrong. I kept turning it only a quarter turn like modern locks work when it needed to turn all the way around! Unbelievable. I am definitely going to put those two screwdrivers into my nightstand and finally, finally start using my footlocker/trunk/chest as God intended me to use it - as a clothes storage vessel thing. Thank you soo much for posting this video. Huge help. Best to you and your family. Happy Halloween!!!!! 🎃 I am definitely going to make a video showing exactly what I did with my trunk so there's more exposure on this content so that people who can't find you for some reason have additional resources. (Would it be okay if I somehow add a link to your video if my video turns out crappy?)

[@jq4423]

Thanks for the tip, I'm going to go try it. Plus I'll stay away from High Tech Auto, LOL.

[@lindagrant2135]

Screw driver didn't work for me. I ended up trying a very small key from the tiny locks I used on my luggage when travelling. Worked fine and guess what.....the key was inside the trunk. haha

[@hiddenopal]

Worked great on an old metal trunk. I didn't have the right size flathead screwdriver, but the blade from a dull pair of scissors did the trick.

[@kalatuck5471]

Thank you so much! My son closed the lock to mine and we have no key. I was finally able to get it open again after 7 months ❤️

[@waywardshaman]

Is there a way the locking mechanism can become jammed or something? I have one of these but even with a small flathead that fits all the way in I can’t get any purchase. Would love some help on this.

[@GallowayChicago]

Yes. Insects could have made a nest inside the lock or more likely the trunk was stored in a humid area and the inside mechanism has rusted. Do not use normal "WDstuff" unless it is their new 100% silicon spray. Just take your time and keep trying. I wish you luck. Love from Chicago...

[@pancakes4327]

Woww thank you !! It took my a couple trys but I did it ! My mom's been trying to open her old chest for a while . She's gonna be stoked when I tell her I opened it ! (:

[@tarakushful]

Thank you! This video has saved me twice now. Once last year when I found the same looking trunk from the video and now because I forgot how to do it

[@lillybrooks7662]

You are an angel, and a genius, and I was on the verge of paying almost $100 to have a locksmith come and open my trunks for me, because they have to get gone through before I move out of the country, and I just didn’t wanna use a pry bar to rip them open!!!! BLESS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙏🏻🎉🥳🎉🙏🏻

[@TheEdenlaroche]

Wow, Thanks! I thought I would have to break the chest I inherited from my Grandparents because I closed it without realizing it would lock automatically. 😅

[@GallowayChicago]

Glad I could help!

[@hobbymomma6]

I have tried lubricant, but my great Grandmother's has been indoors for the last 50 years. A flashlight shined inside the looks shows it is very clean and rust free. I still can't get it open. The screwdriver has only managed to bend the mouth of piece that spins all the way around. Any other suggestions?

[@wendyhirota2528]

Accidently locked while carrying with strap. Tried lifting the sides a little...to jam it open. Take to a locksmith?? Looked up on internet. Saw your informative video. After a few minutes of trying....Success! Thank you so much. Trust me, you have performed a true public service.

[@GallowayChicago]

Thanks for sharing

[@YOUGHALLBEACH]

Am trying also to open an old trunk without keys. The lock has the same markings as on the trunk in the video but could not get it to work. Any idea of what the key number is? Apparently it is supposed to be on the lock. Wonder if it is something like T-16.

[@GeorgeannaWashington]

Great idea..however, it's unsuccessful for me..mechanism goes all the way around and still locked..I am probably causing more damage while bending up the screw drivers...not your fault, not mechanically inclined..lol

[@kathrynparsons7594]

I tried several times clockwise, even bought a set of T46k keys, they just bent. Just tried it again counter clockwise this time and with second screwdriver prying up on the lock & it worked! Awesome! Thank you so much!

[@dougkoempel5304]

I was skeptical, but your method worked for an old brass steamer trunk of my late mother's. Thanks!

[@GallowayChicago]

Excellent!

[@vanessas-zq1wg]

Thx I opened it but I accidentally closed it again and I finally opened it thx a lot

[@GallowayChicago]

Thanks for watching... You Can Do It Love from Chicago...

[@vanessas-zq1wg]

Thx

[@jrizzybabby]

THANK YOU! I bought a beautiful glass chest from goodwill for $9 but it didn’t have a key! This worked amazing

[@GallowayChicago]

Excellent!

[@ZogXll]

Hell yeah! I got in after years go no key. Great vid, thanks.

[@AnotherWS6]

Wow! Effin A right buddy! Cant believe how easy that was. I have the exact same lock on an old trunk filled with important papers. Someone must have closed it - I never have - when I moved. Mesed with it a bunch of times, was about to get heavy duty with it and just pry it open with a bar. Then watched 20 seconds of this video and BING! Opened right up. Thanks so much!

[@wendyfowler5541]

Thank you very much. I have moved and couldn't find my keys so now I can open my trucks and continue to unpack everything.

[@DonnaMcNamara-ov4kx]

Thanks very much! Just opened a truck that's been locked for 33 years! Trick is to use a small screwdriver.

[@GallowayChicago]

Ok! ok! what was in the trunk??? lol 33 years. wow.

[@tomwill6658]

Wow that was easy, thanks. I inherited my grandpas and haven’t found a key yet and it’s empty but it sure is nice to be able to open it

[@katiewalker2720]

Thank you! It wasn't as easy with a pair of kid's scissors (no screwdriver where I am staying) but I got it, seeing the back and the principle really helped as I think this one may have been a bit damaged previously. Yay!

[@ThyHoneyNut]

Yah my trunk is messed up. I'm turning it but it won't unlock

[@robmderrick]

Thank you sir! Along with your example, a screwdriver and an ice pick, I was able to pick the lock of the old trunk. I was pretty sure I was gonna have to break it, but decided on one last trip thru the interwebs to see if a solution exists. By the way, we still had the key. It had been hanging on a crappy string on the lock bale itself, but had gotten twisted up inside the mechanism, and no way to fish it out. All good now!

[@fearwidge]

THANKEW! I helped a Mennonite friend buy a 1980 Telescope (for his children's school), which had EXACTLY the same trunk - AND lock - as the one in your video. After the deal was concluded, we packed the scope back in the truck and the previous owner said:"You DO have the key?" "Oh yes," said I, as i pushed the LOCK closed. "It's safely inside..." NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. (IDIOT!) We tried everything we could think of, but couldn't reopen the trunk. So I was JUST about to look for a locksmith when I thought: "Hmm... Wonder if there are any tutorials on KZbin"? Found yours. Watched it. Went down to the trunk. IDENTICAL lock. Tried your trick (with a SMALL flat-head screwdriver - thin enough not to get hung up on the inside edge of the lock), angled it in, turned 90 degrees and... IT OPENED! YAY!!! MANY thanks for "getting me out of the dog-house" over my BONE-HEADED move. Deeply appreciate it.

[@theresawatkins5196]

very helpful... it worked! Thanks

[@soeasytobefake]

Spent the last day looking for a key to open this exact lock. 30s of skimming this video and 10s of lock picking, and the chest was open. Problem solved. Thank you, faceless hero.

[@jacks8460]

If it doesn’t work for you you can just stick a screwdriver behind it and pry you have to move it around sometimes

[@paulalmquist5683]

@2:01 In the box of text between the hasp and the hinge says "T44 lock" in little letters. My wife has this old trunk from her mom but no key. I googled T44 and found a picture of a T44 key. Tried making one out of aluminum. Too soft, it bent. Then found this video. Identical truck and lock to the one in the video. Got a little screwdriver, did as directed. It Worked! Thank You. The lock is corroded. Needs some lubrication before being closed. Hole plugged for now. T44 keys on eBay and else where.

[@MrBonziBradley]

I have a trunk like this that I couldn’t open for about 10 years! The lock was busted on the inside so the key wouldn’t work. Thanks to your video, I got it open in 5 minutes. Thank you sooo much!

[@GallowayChicago]

Thanks for watching... I am waiting for someone to tell me they found something AMAZING!!! in a trunk that has beem locked for years. The funny thing is that silly little key that sweeps the latch-release are not universal. Good on you mate for getting it done. Love from Chicago (The rat capital of America. yuck!!!)

[@darkchococookie98]

Was no help at all,ended up just drilling the lock out and removing it :/

[@RebeccaB-es1fk]

Thanks for this! Like a few hundred others I found this super-helpful! I took a second screwdriver and used it to lift the mechanism once the first side was free, while working my way to the other side to free that part. We have two of these trunks full of old stamps!

[@GallowayChicago]

Glad it helped!

[@davom5858]

Was able to leave my ol’ man’s WWII footlocker intact while accessing his kit. Very much appreciated.

[@MaxmadV8]

Sounds interesting mate can you do a video on it?

[@dexterwestin3747]

Great video. I got in on the first try with your advice but accidently locked it again and now I can't seem to get it like the first time lol.

[@GallowayChicago]

Try again. You got this.

[@donmanning5149]

Awesome. Going to try this on a trunk exactly like that one in my storage room, unopened in 35 years. Thanks so much.

[@justinedavis5135]

Thank you! I had the exact chest and was able to open it in no time with just some nail clippers! Nice!

[@nataliebeutel7515]

Thanks to your tip I had my chest unlocked so fast and easily!

[@89steved]

Thank you. I just used your technique to open a trunk thats been in the cellar for decades.What did I find? An old mirror and some frames. Thanks again for your help.

[@GallowayChicago]

Dang it. I thought you were going to say it was filled with Apple shares from 1989. lol

[@TDogLamb]

They also sell keys on eBay for these t-46 long locks on eBay for $5

[@fabiancastaneda4496]

Bought a pair they dont work

[@j2a2y2]

Thank you so much! I accidentally locked mine and we haven't had the key in yearrrs.

[@Kevin12484]

Thanks helped a lot. Someone in my family didn't know we didn't have the key

[@suzieq2268]

You just opened a T46 Long Lock and I am trying to open an identical looking trunk/lock which is a T47 Long Lock. What's the difference in opening it? This method is failing me.

[@GallowayChicago]

Thanks for watching. The difference is "RUST". Oxidation sets-in and keeps the two slides from moving freely. Never use original WD40 on any lock unless you are cutting it off. But, A few drops of any ATF will works wonders. Just wear gloves and be careful. The trick is to keep trying. I wish you good luck my friend. Love from Chicago.

[@wyomatt]

I agree 100% and it doesn't work

[@DevanClaspell]

OMG. KZbin for the win. Thank you!!

[@katelynofriel]

Its not working for me ive tried so mamy ways ugh

[@katelynofriel]

I used a letter opener and it worked

[@eqbacon]

Thanks mate. Just got a chest from a thrift store but they didn't have the key.

[@GallowayChicago]

Thanks for watching... Some of these chests have been around longer then I have been alive and will be here long after I am gone. There is no substitute for real craftsmanship. Even some of the ones made in the 70's were made with hundreds of years of skill and technique by master chest makers. Have fun with your new chest. HINT: You can cut/grind down those two latching ears to keep the chest from unexpectedly locking on you again. If you take your time and do it just right you can just pull the latch when you want to open the chest. Love from Chicago

[@thelastzeta8654]

This worked for me. Big thanks!

[@GallowayChicago]

Great to hear!

[@geraldtice4830]

Thanks, I tried it, and it worked just fine. I had to grind the screwdriver to flatten it just a little.

[@kota1690]

got it open within a minute!! thank you so much!!

[@hnrsoc]

Just opened up my grandparents trunk today using this advice. I had problems initially but found in another comment that said to try it counter clockwise and it worked.

[@evelynshannon5909]

Wow! Popped a lock in 10 seconds after trying to find the key for months! Thank you!

[@Sanbparedes]

Thank you so much! You saved me from a fight with my sister haha

[@jaytoussaint9598]

Hey you helped me so much. Ended up using a pair of scissors but your advice got me there.

[@oneclipleft]

Took me about a half-hour, but this eventually worked with a thin steak knife! Thanks!

[@amandalaclaire1255]

Thank you! I have been trying to get into my mom's old trunk for a half hour. No clue what my dad did with the flat head screwdrivers, but a pair of old scissors did the trick! Same idea, different tool. Thank you!!

[@maameyaaserwaabonsu9417]

Omg!...been trying with all sorts of tools n ur pair of scissors idea just hit it so quick!...tnx a ton!

[@cakeanon]

Just tried this on an old trunk my grandma found in her attic. I was having trouble with the angle, but when I tried a smaller screwdriver directly in it worked like a charm!

[@GallowayChicago]

Exellent! Another graduate of KZbins' How To University. Love from Chicago...

[@manakinman808]

Mate thank you so much - I stupidly locked my late mums trunk with stuff inti - and spent hours trying to unlock and you method to surprise worked a treat. I really damage it as obviously massive sentimental value - so massive thanks - cheers mate :)

[@GallowayChicago]

Good to hear

[@jorgesalazar1514]

I used smaller flat head and it worked! Thanks for the video

[@genevatrauet2516]

Thank you! Now I can use my trunks!!

[@celineriard6934]

Worked! Took few trials and did not have a screwdriver thin enough to slid all the way inside and apply pressure. Ended up using the thin glide part of a Vernier Caliper. When I felt the resistance while turning to the left, it opened! Was locked for years - Thank you. Will not lock again just in case I cannot duplicate the result.

[@julieparkinson4240]

Thank you so much, it worked!!! Somehow the lock locked itself with the key inside. Can't believe it worked! Size of the screwdriver definitely matters, can't be too small. Thanks!

[@sebastiangirard3653]

THANK YOU! Had a huge antique "Union Trunk" that got locked by accident whilst moving. Took me 5 minutes to open it! Yay! :D

[@naria2006]

Thank you I just bought a beautiful full metal cedar chest box with a broken lock still attach to it. This help a lot

great video

[@cara.mia.333]

You just saved Christmas with this 😅 thank you so much!

[@dsanchez412]

Thank you so much! I have an old trunk that I didn’t have the key to and didn’t want to ruin the original lock. This helped!

[@GallowayChicago]

Thanks for Watching. All I did was provided some moving pictures. You did all the work. All my KZbin students are now MASTERS at opening this type of trunk. One day this might be a marketable skill and we will all be rich. LOL. Love from Chicago and never stop learning.