Since I upgraded to a gun safe the old wood gun cabinet sits empty. Today my wife asked me to put some glass shelves in it so she can use it as a curio cabinet for her nick-nacks.

Long story short, when I went to open it, the end of the skeleton key broke off in the lock. I can’t get the darn thing open. I used a thin needle-nose pliers to try and remove the broken end of the key but that didn’t work. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to go about unlocking the cabinet without destroying it?

Thanks for your help.

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A gun has no brain.. use yours

How is it hinged?

Tiny spot of super glue and a steady hand to hold the key to the broken piece while it cures?

It's hinged from the inside so I can't get to the hinge pins.

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A gun has no brain.. use yours

I'll give it a try but it may not hold. The cabinet has always had a very tight lock. I think that's why the key broke.

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A gun has no brain.. use yours

I doubt super glue will work. The break on the key is probably porous.

Magnet....

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RIP Shipmate

Can you take the back off of it?

Could you drill it out
and put another lock in??
Chipmunk6

Yes, take the back off. Even if you have to cut it out, it can easily be replaced.

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Freedom isn't free.

Karnivore hit on it. Take the back off (screws or nails. Or likely staples if it's off shore made), then replace the lock and hasp.

I wouldn't try to unlock it that way, id try to get the key out so you can get a new one made.

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Casey

That was a good idea but the key is made from brass.

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A gun has no brain.. use yours

Did you try saying "open sesame"?

That may be the solution. I looked at the back it's held in place by nails and does not appear to be glued.

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A gun has no brain.. use yours

Didn't try that but I did give it the "Fonzie" slap.

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A gun has no brain.. use yours

call a locksmith and explain the situation. Someone must have seen this before and may have the ability to do it without damaging the cabinet or give you suggestions for a DIY fix.

shop vac with crevice tool attached?

chewing gum on a toothpick

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Back to back World War Champs.

The key was turned into the lock when it snapped. Now it's wedged in there and needs to be turned back before it can be extracted.

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A gun has no brain.. use yours

Call a locksmith. That's what they are there for.

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CSM, U S Army(Ret) 1963-1990

Call the IRS and tell them you think you lost a dime in there that you didn't report.

I'm thinking call a locksmith, they have dealt with this before. Is it solid wood or glass front? If wood, and left to my own devices (in sequence of options) I'd see if I could pop the back panel off to get at the hinges, drill the lock, or take a Sawzall to the darn thing... If it has a glass front, I'd break the glass. Pop the hinges, and just replace it.

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NRA Life Member

Call the NSA, they seem to be good at getting into things.

Good Luck

If I do that, they will probably want me to send them the gun cabinet too.

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A gun has no brain.. use yours

Take a small drill bit and drill a small hole in the piece of key that's in the lock. Put an appropriately sized screw in the hole with a drop of thread lock. Give the thread locker time to cure and extract the piece of broken key using the screw as a key shaft.
I just asked myself, "what would I do in that situation?"
That's what I came up with, good luck.

Two small steel picks and a lot of patience. That's how we get broken keys out of ignition locks.

Try drilling a pilot hole in the broken key and using an easy out; which are not always easy to use.

A small under line SMALL drill bit, try and drill into the broken key -once the bit is in, and stuck, either just try and turn the lock, EASY or back our bit and tap in a easy out and try to turn the key-- small vise grips should hold the easy out firm enough. Oiling would not hurt, a bit.

Better than getting locked in it.

Where is our resident locksmith, Kanewpadle?

It's your wife's now let her deal with it.

Small drill bit and easy out they are left hand so you may be able to turn the key. Spray with lube first.

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Psalm 23:4

The drill guys are correct. Very small drill and work upward in size until you reach about 1/3 of the diameter of the key shaft. Then tap an Easy Out in and slowly (after oiling) the lock. It should turn, unlock the door and come out. The hard part is keeping the original drill hole centered. Be glad it's brass!

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Term limits!

Jinglebob, Try some forceps. First spray some lube into the lock. If it hasn't been used for a while, dirt and oxidation can and will cause it to turn hard.

The broken part of the key needs to be turned so it clears the keyway on the way out.

I would not drill just yet or use any kind of glue. Seen many times where people use glue and it causes the lock to become unusable. Besides, glue won't work anyway.

Drilling is a last resort because the lock will be ruined. But if the key doesn't come out you may not have any alternative. And finding a replacement lock won't be easy.

If the forceps don't work let me know. Hopefully it does work cause calling a locksmith out can be expensive providing you find one that knows how to handle this situation. I hate working on these in the field.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

It didnt work because you didnt say: Aaaaaaeeeeeee
The Fonz: Eyy ****Best Quality**** - YouTube

The use of forceps is a good idea. I'll give it a try. I hesitate to call a locksmith because the closest is twenty miles away in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The service call could cost more than the cabinet is worth. As you state, a matching replacement lock may be hard to find. The cabinet was made in the early 1980s.

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A gun has no brain.. use yours

Hope it works. 1980's isn't bad. I've worked on antiques that were much much older. Where I work, it's a minimum of $70 just to show up! Good luck.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

I have heard about using a soldering gun. Heat up the tip of the gun and solder the tip of the gun to the key stub. Let cool and try to turn the gun hopefully turning the key as well. Frank