TWENTY YEARS AGO
Doug Selby, Slide Lock Tools, lamented the changes in Japanese auto locks which made car opening more difficult. Jerry Levine returned after a car wreck caused him some major health problems. Charles Cole answered a reader question about masterkeying. Ledger reported on the Power Star inverter. Gayle Pasternak reported on Dennis "Ginger" Talesco, a lady locksmith in Queens, New York. Charles Cole also reported on Multi-Lube, a favorite spray lubricant of his. Tom Mickley reported on a class he took for impressioning GM sidebar locks. GM soon went from 6 cuts to 10 cuts and impressioning became a more tenuous procedure. Chuck Charter began a series on basic exit device requirements. Hank Spicer studied infrared vehicle remote codes and used a Radio Shack TV remote to copy the codes. Ledger tested new car-opening tools made by Lock Technology of Naperville, IL. Tom Mickley discovered a new line of window and patio door locks. Ledger printed the entire FH code series for Kenworth trucks. AAA Products introduced a new light designed especially for car opening work. Milt Wolferseder showed how to open a Sentry model 1230 safe. Ledger also printed an article on opening a Herring-Hall-Marvin field safe. Allan Halverson continued his fine series on safe repairs after penetration.
TEN YEARS AGO
Jerry Levine explained the Minimax hub by IEI. Tim O’Leary looked at the SmartLock Online by Cansec. Scanlock Security introduced their ScanProx system. Gale Johnson suggested ways to fit keys to locks with lever tumblers. Tom Gillespie reported on the Pro-Lok gun lock. Jerry Levine demonstrated how to rekey American Lock padlocks. Tim O’Leary showed the hybrid electronic and mechanical access control system by Intellikey. In a sidebar article, Tim wrote of the pros and cons of mechanical versus electronic key systems. Tom Gillespie continued his series on running a successful locksmith business. Jennifer Robinson interviewed Debbie Long and Dawn Schwartz, locksmiths in Oakland, Calif. Tiny showed how to service the lock system on a Chevrolet Avalanche.
AN INEXPENSIVE HOBBY: KEY COLLECTING
Some people spend a fortune collecting all sorts of things. There are lock collectors and padlock collectors, but not many known serious collectors of keys.  Internet information on key collecting is surprisingly sparse. This reporter specializes in collecting older original pin tumbler and wafer lock keys, keeping the collection in the approximate years of 1865 to 1960. Car keys from the 1920s and 1930s are of special interest. A few examples are shown here. The Auburn 'AB' codes were used from 1925-1936. Marmon cars used the 'M' series from 1929-1934.  Chrysler only used this 'Miller' key bow in 1927. The Russwin 'CREO' logo and RU1 keyway date that key from the 1920s. If you know of any sources for collectible old keys please contact Locksmith Ledger and we will pass the information on to our readers.         Â
