Keys for a Mills Vest Pocket

[Rpowell18]

i am looking for replacements keys for a Mills Vest Pocket..With the number on the lock can i use that to find one without having it rekeyed..ifound someone that has several hundred keys and he claimed he might have the key that will work with that number..if that is the case anybody know where i might find keys..thanks

[shortrackskater]

ifound someone that has several hundred keys and he claimed he might have the key that will work with that number..if that is the case anybody know where i might find keys..thanks

First - Is it an original Mills lock? Add a photo please so we can determine this.
 
Second - I'm confused by your post. You stated you found someone with several hundred keys and he might have your key. Why can't you contact him then?
The only person I know of is Dave Bertin. He's been difficult to reach the last few years. His eBay name is thunderfivefive and the eBay contact link is here:
https://www.ebay.com/usr/thunderfivefive?

Maybe member 63mini will chime in here with additional information.

[Rpowell18]

i know of him got some vest pocket stuff from him before..He isn't the one though..here is the picture of the lock...i am hoping to find the right key before i have to get it rekeyed...and send it to squires

[63mini]

Rpowell18,

 You may be able to find a replacement key that matches the lock number.  If so, that's Awesome!  But there is one caveat.  Hopefully, it has not already been modified (Re-Keyed) in the past.

 If your guy has a key with the same number, you require. I would say that it would be worth a shot.

[shortrackskater]

Need to see the keyhole.

[Rpowell18]

 the key code is R6945 i need 2 if all possible..anybody know where i can find these would be great ..thanks

[Rpowell18]

i have decided to see if anyone knows where i can get the mills vest pocket with a lock and keys....I was hoping to find the key by the number on my lock but at this point i figure to just buy the lock with keys..Any help would be great..thanks

[shortrackskater]

Again, contact Dave Bertin at the eBay site listed. He's back to answering messages now. He likely can re-key this lock OR he may have an original VP lock with keys. Give him a week or so and he should reply. We just messaged a few days ago.

[Rpowell18]

i tried him with no luck on either..thanks

[shortrackskater]

i tried him with no luck on either..thanks

Well heck! I'll keep poking around.
Ed?? Maybe Ed will chime in again. 

[Rpowell18]

great thanks again

[63mini]

Rpowell18,

  It seems odd that your lock shown in the above photo shows it in the unlocked position.  Normally, Mills locks will not allow the key to be removed when it's unlocked.  I am wondering if the tumblers have already been filed or removed.  Have you tried using a screwdriver to operate the lock? Or can you freely move the cam by hand?  Is a key broken off in it?

 On a couple of trade stimulators, I have the tumblers were removed and a screwdriver or key that fits will operate the lock.

  If you have a spare Mills key, you can dissemble the lock by removing the cam and pulling the barrel assembly out of the housing.  Then insert a Mills key and file the tumblers sticking up smooth to the barrel.  Once that is done. Insert the barrel assembly back into the lock housing and it should rotate with the key.  The only other thing that you will need to do is "peen" the brass tabs that hold the cam into place.

 Hopefully, this makes some sense as I don't have photos to detail the procedure.  I have done this with Mills front load and back door locks, and it is not that difficult.

 If this sound like something, you want to attempt I can take a couple photos showing basically what needs to be done.

[Rpowell18]

The lock is clear..i found another mills key that went into the lock but would turn it ..i was able to wiggle the key out to open it..When i got the machine from eBay it  was somehow  turned enough to lock it ..it will not move with a screwdriver or by hand either .There was no key with it lucky i have several mills machines with keys..

[63mini]

Rpowell,

 I just came across this video.  It basically details what I stated above.  I know it's not a VP lock but it's the same procedure.

[Rpowell18]

thanks for the Post..i have decided to send the lock  to my Guy in California to have key made ..i found out there is also a thickness factor with the keys on these locks which i wasn't aware of and he has a machine mills key machine to cut keys ...thanks again

[Rpowell18]

Squires was able to rebuild the vest pocket lock and get it back to full working order and it was reasonable price..He rekeyed it ..The lock was destroyed inside.. all pins were replaced inside because they were so bent up..He has all the original Mills machines to repair amything..

[shortrackskater]

Little late reply here... but what did he charge for re-keying?



May 17 update: I just send them a message asking, but if you log in sometime, let me know.