65 lines
3.0 KiB
Plaintext
65 lines
3.0 KiB
Plaintext
The Warded Lock
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The warded lock's basic design was created by the ancient Romans. The basic
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principle behind its operation is a series of "wards" (projecting obstructions)
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that prevent all but the proper cut key from being rotated inside the lock.
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These obstructions have been placed in the path of the turning of the bit
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portion of the key. This type of lock utilizes a key that has been notched in a
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way that it clears all the wards, but is still able to turn the bolt. These
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locks are easy to recognize. They are the "classic" antique lock that you may
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still find in old houses.
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_______ blade (stem) ##### handle (bow)
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/ \ ########
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| | ################################# ##
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\ / ################################# ##
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| | #### ### ########
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/ \ #### ### #####
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/ \ ####
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/ \ bit a warded key for a two-ward lock
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/___________\
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warded key lock entrance
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The number of wards in the lock can vary, but normally two is the minimum. When
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a user inserts a key into the warded lock, the metal obstructions inside the
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lock allow only the proper key to be inserted. The key bittings allow the key to
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turn in a circular motion, opening the lock through one of four different
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mechanisms:
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1. The key lifts a detent lever while throwing the bolt, providing deadbolt
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action. (Deadbolt action means that the bolt is secure against end pressure.)
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2. The key moves a bolt whose locked or unlocked position is maintained by
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the action of a humped flat spring in two notches on the bolt.
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3. The key moves directly against the latch tail of a latchbolt, or does so
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through the action of a floating lever.
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4. The key inserts between two springs and wedges them apart as it is
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turned. (Usually only in warded padlocks)
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Picking
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These locks offer only token security to the user. Besides being easy to
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circumvent, the warded locks offers only about fifty alternate keying
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combinations. Picking them is generally regarded as trivial. All that is
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required is to bypass the wards and move the bolt into the unlocked position.
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This can be accomplished by using a pick known as a "buttonhook". To make your
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own buttonhook pick, use a pair of pliers to bend a six inch section of coat
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hanger into a warded key shape as below:
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########
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### ##
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################################# ##
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# ## ##
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### ## #
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#####
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The wire should be thin enough to pass into the keyway while avoiding all the
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wards, but stiff enough that it can still manipulate the bolt to open the lock.
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Though you may have to make a "large" and a "small" warded lock pick, the same
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principle applies.
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