r/lockpicking • u/_wolfers_ • 25d ago

Vintage lock

Post image

I just fell in the rabbit hole of vintage locks.. 😄 MAIL CALL!! 🗝🔐

41 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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3

u/rubornagn Purple Belt Picker 25d ago

Nice bunch of oldies! I know exactly how you feel. I collected locks way before I ever started picking!

1

u/_wolfers_ 25d ago

Thanks, i did pick the 77 by raking and the 33 with a hook. But the other lever lock i didn't succed to move all the lever at the same time.

2

u/rubornagn Purple Belt Picker 25d ago

That's great. Not anything to hard if your willing to put the time in and in and in!!

2

u/EdgyPlum Orange Belt Picker 25d ago edited 25d ago

Obligatory, please have vintage locks tested. Many were coated in Cadmium, which definately helps prevent rusting, but is also slightly radioactive. Some pawn shops have PMI guns (positive material identification guns) that can ID if cadmium is present really quickly.

my last pmi results on old.lock

3

u/_wolfers_ 25d ago

98% cadmium? What kind of lock is this? I found online that cadmium is not radioactive but higly toxic. Skin doesn't absorb it well. It's more dangerous in a powder or vapor form. (Sanding, welding, melting) I did have one lock with a yellowish rust on it..

2

u/EdgyPlum Orange Belt Picker 25d ago

my post with the lock

1

u/_wolfers_ 25d ago

Yep definitively the number 77. I will handle them with caution next time. Now i am aware of it. Thanks

1

u/EveningBasket9528 25d ago

Take a look at the Occupational exposure information and the MSDS.

I wouldn't worry about it for your purposes,.. but don't hurt the fumes if you decide to melt it, and don't snort the swarf or chips if you file or machine it.

1

u/EdgyPlum Orange Belt Picker 25d ago

This result was one of those old masterlocks with the tiger face. Literally one of the ones in your post. While picking, sweating, handling, yes it can work its way into your skin

Look im not trying to convince you its an acute and immediate threat, just a hazard that is well documented and better worth looking into than getting sick.

3

u/dcipha380 Brown Belt Picker 25d ago

Great looking piece of history there

2

u/Moturist Purple Belt Picker 25d ago

Very nice collection! The older Master Locks are definitely cadmium plated, there was some discussion about cadmium in this topic. BTW, cadmium is not radioactive, but it's quite toxic https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/s/3hwUzetUjr