I have a wooden Presentation Box for a Commemorative Texas Rangers Gun and Knife. Unfortunately, I don’t have a key for it. Is this something that a locksmith can make for me without an original key?
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

Fire off a PM to Kanewpadle.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

A handcuff key would be appropriate...

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protocalldesign.com

I have a gun case that I acquired with a 1980s revolver that needs a new key, too, so am interested in this thread.

Briefly looking at the internet just now, I came across a discussion wherein this question is posed by a guy with a locked briefcase. One of the replies is that yes, a locksmith can pick the lock and by so doing determine the size and shape of the key needed, and fabricate it.

Locksmith and a great guy. Just yesterday he took time out of his day to help me with a couple questions on locks.

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The best I can with what I got

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I just did.
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

I don’t know if this is something that would help a locksmith, but while looking around online, I copied some pictures of what the key actually looks like. I figured it may help them. It definitely isn’t one of those, what I call an old fashioned type key.
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

I was missing a key for a Browning Medalist presentation case. A member on the Rimfire Central Forum kindly sent me a couple of good close up photos of the correct key.
Then it was off to ebay to look for one. Many if not most sellers have no idea what the keys are for. But it didn't take long to find someone selling an assortment of "luggage or attache case keys" for around $10 if I recall. There was a key included that worked. I suspect that the locks aren't exactly a high security design and are supplied by companies that make such latches or locks and there isn't a lot of variation in the key patterns. They could probably be picked with a bobby pin. But it shouldn't be difficult to find an appropriate key.

I agree with Protocol Design. that a handcuff key will likely work. If OP doesn't have one I suggest he asks a LEO he knows, or take the case to his local police station and ask the desk officer to try his handcuff key.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

I sent a message to Kanewpadle and he wants to see pictures of the lock. For some reason I have never been able to send pictures over PM here. So, I am going to show them here instead. Here is a picture of the lock and a few of the key that I found online.
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

Sadly, in todays environment, taking a locked box to a police station and asking them to open it may well get a call to the bomb squad rather than getting the key.

Re pix in PMs, just do the same thing you do with a post, but embed the pic link into the PM rather than into a post.

(I do enjoy following along in this thread though!)

I don't think that a handcuff key would work, I just think it would have been cool if they had made the lock for that key, as it is a Texas Ranger Commemorative box.

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protocalldesign.com

I feel bad. The company I used to work for had these in stock. It was a common key for cabinet locks.

We also had handcuff keys which might work.

I would take the case to a reputable locksmith.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

I may have found the key I need! What do you folks think? The first 3 pictures show the key I need. The last 2 pictures show the one I found.
Larry

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	IMG_1165.jpg (59.9 KB, 54 views)
	IMG_1166.jpg (47.7 KB, 53 views)
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	IMG_1172.jpg (64.1 KB, 52 views)

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

Sure looks close, Larry!

What's the chances that all those presentation boxes are keyed alike?

I’d say 100%!
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

That be it.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

This is getting like Geraldo and Capone's safe...

Well, I bought it, so we’ll see.👍 I figured that it was probably cheaper than getting a new one made.
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

I got the key in the mail today. Like Kanewpadle and Onomea thought, it is the correct key. I was 99% sure it would be, but y’all know how that other 1% can bite you in the hind end. The key is tiny. Even though it’s the correct key, it still isn’t easy unlocking the lock. Of course, it may not have even been locked in its 50+ year history! If I hit the lock with some oil or graphite, it would probably loosen right up.

For all you folks looking for a key, especially for something like this, where all the locks are keyed alike, don’t hesitate to check out eBay and Etsy. They have a bunch of bulk key lots that show the keys well enough to maybe find what you’re looking for. I looked for about 30 minutes, and this key was one of about 30 in the lot. I offered to buy the single key that I wanted, and my offer was accepted. Give it a try.
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom