dmasters wrote:Useless trivia: Corbin used the BB's from about 1902-1960. They were intended for high-traffic locks (less wear), and allowed steeper adjacent cuts since the BB's could ride a sharper "vee" cut into the key which is how they were still able to get a decent size master-key system using them.
That is indeed their purpose; although I thought they were available as an option a good deal later than the 60's (at least into the 80's. They were typically only loaded into the first two stacks and on top of being able to ride a sharper V in the key (like DM said) Corbin also wouldn't have to worry about them taking up extra space taking away from Mastering as they had their "Master Ring" cylinders for those requiring even more complex and still secure mastering. Old Master Rings are some of my favorite locks.
As far as picking. With the right bitting the bearings can definitely become frustrating (especially with spool pins and trying to break out of a false set) as the pick likes to slip of of them.
Pick that open, gut and re-pin it to a tougher bitting to see if you might make those balls a little more tricky. Also if the drivers aren't the offset spools that are often found in these old Corbin's, let me know I'll send you a few. I'm also curious to see if there really is a ball in every chamber as I've never seen one set up that way.
Or if you haven't learned gutting and re-pinning yet... if you'd like you could send it to me. I'd be happy to gut it, re-pin, throw in Corbin spool drivers (if not already so equipped), a few pictures, a youtube video of the project and send it back to you a bit more challenging and maybe (if one of my blanks or already cut Corbin keys fits it) with a key.
Have a good'n, Thanks for sharing the nice old Corbie and if I haven't said so yet, a belated welcome to KP
"My only definite plan is that in the future I'm definitely just using this screwdriver for screwing in screws" -The Doctor
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