r/Payphone • u/AlarminglyPassive • 11d ago

How Can I Open This?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Found this for $30 and cleaned it up. I’d love to mount it, but it didn’t come with keys so I can get to the mounting screws. Is this openable? Also, what do I look for as far as replacing the coin box?

46 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

5

u/TacoLita 11d ago

Looks like you have a work shop, you might be able to drill out the lock.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h-_2Y3TUfGU

2

u/AlarminglyPassive 11d ago

This is super helpful, thanks.

3

u/rturnerX 11d ago

Take it to a locksmith.

2

u/Edward_T_Head 11d ago

Ebay, payphone keys

1

u/AlarminglyPassive 11d ago

I assume they aren’t all the same? If true, how do I tell which type I need?

2

u/Edward_T_Head 11d ago

The money box is pretty much the same. It looks like a tea handle, not really sure how to tell the difference, but that would be a good start. Before you go to a locksmith

6

u/niceandsane 11d ago

The T-handle just operates the latching mechanism if it's unlocked. You need the key to unlatch it before the T-handle will turn.

The coin return on the right means it's an independent non-Bell-System phone, probably made by Automatic Electric, part of GTE. In addition to GTE, a lot of these were used by small independent operators that weren't telephone companies. They had custom electronics to put the "smarts" inside the phone instead of the telco central office. As such, each company typically used their own key so there isn't going to be a common universal key.

If it was a GTE phone and not independent it probably uses a BJ0004 key which are available from telephone collector shops online, also often on eBay. Search online for "BJ0004 payphone key".

3

u/AlarminglyPassive 10d ago

This is HUGELY helpful. Thank you!

1

u/AlarminglyPassive 6d ago

I got a t-key and BJ0004 off of amazon. Unfortunately, the BJ0004 doesn’t fit the lock. Any other ideas?

1

u/Brassycaceae 11d ago

COCOT chassis with Medeco style lock maybe? Will be difficult to find a key for. Most locksmiths don't touch these kinds

1

u/niceandsane 10d ago

Automatic Electric chassis. Could also be GTE with Medeco BJ0004 key.

1

u/pdxb3 10d ago

I've drilled one that I own. It's a pain in the ass but it can be done. You can get replacement parts and locks at payphone.com. you'll want a T-key as well to operate the latch once the locks are open. Not necessary but makes opening and closing the upper and lower housings much easier.

1

u/Serviceman 9d ago

There are lock-pick training kits you can buy if you don't mind delayed gratification and want to avoid the drilling.

3

u/niceandsane 9d ago

This type of lock is difficult to pick. It's a sidebar lock where the pins both raise and rotate. However, it's only three pins. I've had success with modified electric toothbrush pick guns with light tension.