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Sorta OT: Registered Mail "Counter" Locks...
BackroadJunkie
Posts: 3,745 ✭✭✭✭✭
Registered mail is discussed often here, but I never knew these locks existed. LockPickingLawyer can seemingly pick every lock ever made, but it's the "counter" feature of these locks that make it tamper-proof. (Assuming the Post Office critter pays attention to it, which I assume they do...)
Huh. Learned something new today, which presumably means I can take the rest of the day off... 
[285] Two Registered Mail "Counter" Padlocks Picked and Gutted
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EenxAWPetFo
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I've never seen those before. At my post office registered mail is kept locked in a safe unless it's out for delivery.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
A lock created by humans can be picked by humans.... no lock is unpickable. I started picking lots when I was in the Navy...tumbler and combination....Later took the training....These locks in the OP are simple..just three tumblers. Cheers, RickO
Those look neat as collector's items.
From what I gather, they aren't meant to be pick proof (there is apparently common keys for these locks), but they are tamper evident from the counter that can't be reset without breaking open the lock. (The counter goes up to 9999, and won't allow a zero rollover.)
They are mostly put on bags so there's evidence on whether the bag/lock was opened during transit.
Except if I'm going to rob the Post Office, I'm not opening the bag, looking around and putting it back. I'm stealing the whole bag, slitting it open, and then burning whatever's left. I mean, the counter locks will keep the person who signed for the bag from looking around in it. But that's the only person it will stop from opening the bag.
Those are pretty neat. There are many on ebay but the keys don't seem too common.
Coolest video ive seen in a while, also shows how cheaper stuff is made today with materials vs the old days
I managed the plant that made the last 100,000 of those Registered Mail or Rotary Locks. Their history goes back to the mid 19th Century. Mechanically, little changed except updates in materials and mechanical improvements.
The number on the counter was entered into the Registry, and the locked mail pouch kept in the possession of the career employee assigned. As it was handed off on the route, the Registry number was recorded to assure no tampering. It was considered the safest form of transport for many, many years.
Interesting, a lock collector once told me that this was the preferred lock to be used by Harry Houdini in his escape tricks. He would keep a cut off key in his mouth and a half revolution would unlock it.
Years ago Medco had a big reward if anyone could pick one of their locks. I don't know if anyone ever did.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
I had to go over to you tube to see.
Medeco, while they're 'different' (biaxial pins), they are pickable. Pretty highly regarded and a bit pricey though.......