A key question.

Hi all,

Some months ago I purchased a set of, what I believe, German leg irons.

I have tried to get them open but I just can't figure out what kind of key is needed.
It's not an ordinary screw key as there is no threaded bolt inside the lock.

There is a square hole on the same side as the bow enter the lock house and a small
round hole on the opposite side.

If anyone has any information or a similar set with a working key, please let me know.

Lars

What do you see inside the tube? Is it a barbed spring lock? and or, the barb is a sperate and missing piece and the cuff is actualy unlock but frozen shut?

Hi all,

Some months ago I purchased a set of, what I believe, German leg irons.

I have tried to get them open but I just can't figure out what kind of key is needed.
It's not an ordinary screw key as there is no threaded bolt inside the lock.

There is a square hole on the same side as the bow enter the lock house and a small
round hole on the opposite side.

If anyone has any information or a similar set with a working key, please let me know.

Lars

Click to expand...

Ian, there is nothing visible in the lock house. It's empty when I look into it with a flash light.
A friend of mine, who is by far more skilled on locks than I am, told me he tried to access
the lock from the "small hole side". He managed to press a piece that was spring loaded. He
unfortunately didn't manage to press it long enough to release the pawl.

There is a wall between the space behind the key holes and the part with the spring loaded
pawl. It is positioned on the upper side of the tube. I've never seen a more awkward lock
than this.

Lars

Hi all,

Some months ago I purchased a set of, what I believe, German leg irons.

I have tried to get them open but I just can't figure out what kind of key is needed.
It's not an ordinary screw key as there is no threaded bolt inside the lock.

There is a square hole on the same side as the bow enter the lock house and a small
round hole on the opposite side.

If anyone has any information or a similar set with a working key, please let me know.

Lars

Click to expand...

a hamburger flat key must work to unlock it

Hi all,

Some months ago I purchased a set of, what I believe, German leg irons.

I have tried to get them open but I just can't figure out what kind of key is needed.
It's not an ordinary screw key as there is no threaded bolt inside the lock.

There is a square hole on the same side as the bow enter the lock house and a small
round hole on the opposite side.

If anyone has any information or a similar set with a working key, please let me know.

Lars

Click to expand...

"He managed to press a piece that was spring loaded."

It is my thought that there is also another piece that is identical that will have to be depressed, possibly opposite of the first one.

where is this piece located ? Is it on the small hole end ?

LK D~D

Hi all,

Some months ago I purchased a set of, what I believe, German leg irons.

I have tried to get them open but I just can't figure out what kind of key is needed.
It's not an ordinary screw key as there is no threaded bolt inside the lock.

There is a square hole on the same side as the bow enter the lock house and a small
round hole on the opposite side.

If anyone has any information or a similar set with a working key, please let me know.

Lars

Click to expand...

Yes, that is correct. You have to access the lock with a screwdriver from the small hole end in direction
against the top of the lock and press. Then one internal piece is moving a bit - however, not as much to free the bow.

If you put a small screwdriver into the moving bow entrance slot and press, the pawl is somewhat moving which mean it's
spring loaded and not frozen. This shackle really drives me nut as I can't figure out the construction.

Lars

Hi all,

Some months ago I purchased a set of, what I believe, German leg irons.

I have tried to get them open but I just can't figure out what kind of key is needed.
It's not an ordinary screw key as there is no threaded bolt inside the lock.

There is a square hole on the same side as the bow enter the lock house and a small
round hole on the opposite side.

If anyone has any information or a similar set with a working key, please let me know.

Lars

Click to expand...

OK I believe that spring is like a tweezers with another one next to it that will have to be depressed but it will be depressed towards the fist one, just like squeezing a tweezers together,then the slotted lock part will move outward and free the pawl or bow, it may even come out all the way

LK D~D

Hi all,

Some months ago I purchased a set of, what I believe, German leg irons.

I have tried to get them open but I just can't figure out what kind of key is needed.
It's not an ordinary screw key as there is no threaded bolt inside the lock.

There is a square hole on the same side as the bow enter the lock house and a small
round hole on the opposite side.

If anyone has any information or a similar set with a working key, please let me know.

Lars

Click to expand...

Hi Lars, even though you cannot see anything inside, you could measure via the keyhole, the distances into different areas within the tube and plot an idea of what is in there. I have sent you an email with key ideas

Hi all,

Some months ago I purchased a set of, what I believe, German leg irons.

I have tried to get them open but I just can't figure out what kind of key is needed.
It's not an ordinary screw key as there is no threaded bolt inside the lock.

There is a square hole on the same side as the bow enter the lock house and a small
round hole on the opposite side.

If anyone has any information or a similar set with a working key, please let me know.

Lars

Click to expand...

Thanks a lot Ian for the great idea!

/Lars