How to Open an Old Vintage Antique Trunk or Chest Lock
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- Опубликовано: 22 авг 2024
- How to open an old trunk or chest for which you do not have the key. I looked all over the web and RUclips but could not find the answer. Hope this helps. These main latches were never meant to secure these storage trunks.
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 RUclips 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!!!!!
Lmao thanks for sharing 😅😂
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!!
Thanks for sharing
Thanks man! You saved my kids birthday. The gifts were hidden and locked in a chest like that.
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.
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.
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.😂😂😂
Lmao this sounds like something out of a comedy show!
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!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙏🏻🎉🥳🎉🙏🏻
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.
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.
Thanks for sharing
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 ...
I was beyond frustrated trying to open an old family trunk . . I followed your instructions exactly, and presto! Thank you!!
You just helped my family reunite with old family relics. Thank you
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.
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!
Glad it helped!
Yo, it's crazy how I just did a RUclips 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!!
Thanks for watching. I try not to duplicate RUclips content. And, RUclips 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)
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.
Am amazed how easy that was. Have two locked trunks needing this technique. Thank you.
I was skeptical, but your method worked for an old brass steamer trunk of my late mother's. Thanks!
Excellent!
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
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!
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!!!)
You are awesome !!!! Thank you so much !!!! I got into my antique chest in 30 seconds!
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!
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!!
Thank you so much!! We are moving out of my old house and we found stuff that we were looking for for years!!
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....
@ 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.)??
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.
I just rescued three gorgeous antique trunks from the streets of NYC. Two were locked. THANK YOU! I could only find videos that would damage the lock - this is brilliant.
Less trash in the landfills is outstanding.
Love from Chicago.
My trunk is 40 years old. I had it in my basement. When we moved, I started using it again. I have no idea where the key is. I inadvertently locked it. Used this method and it worked. Thank you!
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!
Exellent! Another graduate of RUclipss' How To University.
Love from Chicago...
Thank you so much for posting this! I was able to open a similar lock on a trunk full of childhood memorabilia my mom put together over 20 years ago. It didn't open exactly like yours, but I noticed that one side seemed to be open so I kept it popped out while repeating the process until I got the other cylinder to line up. I really appreciate your saving me the time and money of hiring a locksmith to do this simple task.
I have never been so excited and grateful. I found this trunk at a second hand shop, fell in love, but was told there was no key. I took it anyways, determined to open it. Thankfully after only a few tries I did!
Good on you. Don't forget to like and subscribe. It helps me out.
TDI Love from Chicago.
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!!
Omg!...been trying with all sorts of tools n ur pair of scissors idea just hit it so quick!...tnx a ton!
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!
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.
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
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!
Was able to leave my ol’ man’s WWII footlocker intact while accessing his kit. Very much appreciated.
Sounds interesting mate can you do a video on it?
Ty so much for this video!! I was able to get into my grandfather's old army chest!
Two years after you uploaded this, I got an old trunk I wanted to use open! Thank you!
Thank you!!!!!! this is amazing, I was messing around with a bobby pin forever until i found this
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.
Awesome. Going to try this on a trunk exactly like that one in my storage room, unopened in 35 years. Thanks so much.
Been sitting on an old truck for over a year trying to figure out how to unlock it without damaging it. After watching this video it took every bit of 10 seconds. Thank you
Good on you. Don't forget to like and subscribe. It helps me out.
TDI Love from Chicago.
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!
Thanks a lot!. I finally could open my grandparents's trunk. They came to Argentina from Italy in 1930s, and the trunk is a precious treasure I have, however it was locked until now.
Thank to you I opened it and now I can start the restauration.
Cheers!
Glad I could help!
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
Thank goodness for RUclips and for this video! We just found my 95-year-old dad‘s trunk got locked for the first time in 70 years. But because of your video we were able to open it again.
You are awesome! It worked because you tried! Now go an be a ray of sunshine in this dark and gloomy world. We all need more Love and Light.
Love from Chicago
Thank you! At first I was a naysayer because I could not get it to work. I had to use a really slim narrow metal letter opener and just when you think its going to break off it released it. Took me a couple of dozen tries and testing out different tools. Go slow and don't push too too hard, just be firm. I had to read the comments before I figured out how to make it work. Mine worked counter clock wise. Saved me $35 not having to order a key.
It worked because you tried! Now go an be a ray of sunshine in this dark and gloomy world. We all need more Love and Light.
Love from Chicago
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.
When we first tried your technique, it didn't work. Then we used a screwdriver with a thinner tip and it worked like a charm. Thank you for posting!
Excellent! Sometimes, after being locked for many years, opening it just requires a little love. Don't we all need just a little love?
Love from Chicago.
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 ❤️
Thanks very much! Just opened a truck that's been locked for 33 years! Trick is to use a small screwdriver.
Ok! ok! what was in the trunk??? lol 33 years. wow.
5 years later and you just helped another struggling person!
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.
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 😅
Thank you so much for this video!! I’ve been trying to open a vintage trunk I was gifted for about an hour. I was able to open it my first try after watching this video!
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 :)
Good to hear
THANK YOU! I bought a beautiful glass chest from goodwill for $9 but it didn’t have a key! This worked amazing
Excellent!
It worked! Super easy thank you so much you saved my trunk! I though we were going to have to break it off
Thanks for watching. When it worked didn't you feel like a genius? I love that feeling of success.
Love from Chicago.
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
Thank you so much for this video! I bought a repro trunk at a thrift store for $4.oo and it was locked like yours. Two minutes later and husband had it opened.
By golly, it worked! 1st try. A million thanks.🎉
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. :)
First day I tried unsuccessfully about 20 times. Put in some oil overnight and the next day was able to open the trunk. However, it required much more force than I had expected, and I had to put a rubber band and cloth around the spanner handle to get a good grip. Thanks for the help. The trunk was almost 50 years old so no wonder it was hard to open.
Thank You for this video you made about 6years ago. I just bought a garage sale trunk that is locked with no key. You've given me hope. I'll let you know how it works.
Galloway it worked!
Thanks again 🤗
THANKYOU! My lock was different but your video encouraged me to try again, and I actually found the key that unlocked the trunk after many many years!
I miss placed my key to my fathers chest, kept it for years and had the key but then in the move it ended up somewhere in the house. After watching this it took me a minute to open. Thank you very much!!!!
Outstanding, helped when we uncovered an old steamer trunk of my recently deceased father. Much thanks!
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
Wow! Popped a lock in 10 seconds after trying to find the key for months! Thank you!
I just wanted to drop you a quick line to say thanks! I picked up an old steamer trunk from an estate sale that had no keys, and a friend accidentally locked it. Glad to be able to use it again!
Thanks a a lot!!!
The internet is a beautiful place. Thank you, my friend!!!
I did it!! Thanks for the guidance! My kids would have gladly broken the lock for me but, alas, I wanted a different outcome! Much appreciated!
This worked great. Got the trunk open thanks to your clear instructions!
I'm trying to get one open using the same technique, can't get it to work, help?
Thanks for watching... Some have stated that if the mechanism is rusted or oxidized it might require a lubricant or penetrating oil to be used to free the latch. I do NOT suggest the original WD40(tm) and instead would encourage the use of a real penetrating oil or silicone enhanced product. After applying the oil, let the trunk setup for 2 to 5 days, then try to open it again as shown in the video. Hope that helps.
Love from Chicago (where plains land on our roadways)
This worked for me on an estate sale find with a T44 lock. After turning the small screwdriver 90 degrees clockwise (9 o'clock position), I needed to slip another thin blade screwdriver under the upper round part of the latch and gently pry it open. There was no damage to the locking mechanism. Thanks for posting this video!
Thanks for watching. You are AMAZING. Now go an be a ray of sunshine in this dark and gloomy world.
Love from Chicago.
Thanks to your tip I had my chest unlocked so fast and easily!
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!
I also inherited a truck just like the one your showing us, I just tried this and it worked. Thank you so much for your video.
Thank you so much for this! I bought an old trunk at a friend's yard sale - she had no key for it so she left it unlocked and open - then another friend of ours accidentally locked it while admiring it 😅 With your help I had it open in minutes!
Fantastic!
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.
Now I can recover all the gold. That's great.
Keep in mind that screwdriver needs to be slightly tilted down, watching carefully I can see that now. My grandfathers footlocker holds my Christmas presents and I brought it and forgot the key, this was instrumental in figuring it out and thank you tons!
Thank you! I wasn’t able to open my father’s army trunk. I used a small computer-repair screwdriver and a few curses. Quick and reasonably easy!
Every time my toddlers lock my steamer trunk, I come back to this video and it works like a charm! You're a lifesaver!
When my brother and I were kids we would lock each other in trunks like this one and roll it down the stairs. I think all the newer trunks are just ornamental and would not last in a house full of 4 boys, but the older ones were built to last.
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!
Thanks for Watching. All I did was provided some moving pictures. You did all the work. All my RUclips 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.
Thanks helped a lot. Someone in my family didn't know we didn't have the key
I was looking for a trunk to keep circus/performance costumes in. Found the coolest trunk at my local thrift store but no key. Same exact lock as this one! Got it open after fiddling with it for about 10 minutes. Thanks so much! I'm so glad you uploaded this.
Thank you! I had the exact chest and was able to open it in no time with just some nail clippers! Nice!
I'm CACKLING I can't believe that worked so easily!!!! All the guys at work wanted to break it open, but your video saved this chest! THANK YOU!!!
Thank you so much!! The first flat-head screwdriver I tried was a bit too big. When I tried a smaller one, it worked like a charm. I'm very grateful for your video because I had locked the one and only key inside the trunk. :)
Now you know MAGIC. lol
This worked first time, I was amazed - thanks so much!
You're welcome!
Oops I used DW40 sprayed several times tried, let it sit overnight. I found a small spoon tried that, it opened! Saved $150.00, thank you!
Thanks for watching... The reported problem with WD40 (original formula) is that it works fine on hinges and squeaky metal parts, but gums up locks. That is why you do not hear auto manufactures recommending to spray WD40 in your locks in the winter time anymore. It also encourages dirt and debris to accumulate and ultimately interfere with that locking mechanism. Sorry to go off topic but good on you for doing it yourself :)
TDI love from Chicago (Where protesters can shut down interstate highways)
GallowayChicago I live in northwest Indiana, I don't envy you. I wouldn't go near Chicago tonight⚾️🏀📣
This worked like a charm, I was able to unlock a trunk from my grandmother that was locked for years. Thanks!
Thanks for watching. I have seen people drill out the rivets and totally ruin the trunk. So, I am glad I could help save another beautiful antique. 100 years ago these were treasured items that would be passed down from father to son. They were made by craftsmen to accompany the owner on major life moves and be silent witnesses to the passing of time.
Thank You sooo much !! We just inherited a beautiful old Steamer trunk and it has paper jammed in the receiver of the lock to prevent it being accidentally closed ! Now I can be a "DA DA DA DAAAAA" ...........HERO to my wife !! LOL !!
Your video was a life-saver!! I was able to open my mom's old trunk. Thank you so much!!!
You're welcome! You are the life-saver because you took a change. Good on you.
Love from Chicago.
A million 'Thank You's'. Watched too many inconsequential YT videos until I miraculously stumbled on yours!
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.
Dang it. I thought you were going to say it was filled with Apple shares from 1989. lol
Yes! It worked. Took me 2 seconds. THANK YOU
Glad it helped!
Awesome. My 9 y.o. son locked the key to a steamer trunk inside the trunk and I wasn't sure how to get it open . Thank you!
Thank you. I did mine within a matter of seconds while listening to your instructions 🎉
You Sir saved my day. Accidentally locked the trunk I was renovating, and your video helped me out. Chapeu
Glad I could help
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!