Bit key

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Bit Key Ancient warded lock key transparent.png
Bit Key

A bit key, sometimes called a bitted key, is a key with a blade, called a bit, which projects from the side of a round shank near the tip and on which are made key cuts to clear the wards on a warded lock [1] and/or to operate the levers of a lever tumbler lock. The bit key is sometimes also called a mortise lock/mortice key, rim lock key, warded lock key, or a wing key (because bits are sometimes called wings or flags).

In America it is common for a bit key, a barrel key, or virtually any key that appears old to be erroneously called a "skeleton key". However very few bit keys, and even fewer barrel keys, are actually skeleton keys.

Parts of a Bit Key

Parts of a bit key Lever lock key parts.svg
Parts of a bit key
Bit Key by Russell & Erwin Mfg. Co. New Britain, Conn. USA, featuring a bullet cut Bit Key by Russell & Erwin Mfg.jpg
Bit Key by Russell & Erwin Mfg. Co. New Britain, Conn. USA, featuring a bullet cut

A bit key consists of a shaft or post which is solid (in contrast with a hollow barrel key) with a bit at one end to operate the lock and a "bow" at the other end that allows the key to be turned by hand. The sides of the bit are cut with "ward cuts" to allow the key to turn past "wards" or obstructions within the lock. These ward cuts can be highly ornate on church- or castle-type keys and their reproductions. The bottom of the bit may have "lever cuts" that allow the key to engage one or more levers at the appropriate height to allow the key to operate the lock. Most bit keys have a flat bit, but wedge bits and more complex bits shapes may have a groove on the side, parallel to the post, called a "bullet cut," cut into the key to allow it to clear a keyhole ward.

Two post-medieval period bit keys, circa 1550-1600 AD Key (FindID 446290).jpg
Two post-medieval period bit keys, circa 1550-1600 AD

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Lock picking

Lock picking is the practice of unlocking a lock by manipulating the components of the lock device without the original key.

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Lock (water navigation) Device for raising and lowering boats or ships

A lock is a device used for raising and lowering boats, ships and other watercraft between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways. The distinguishing feature of a lock is a fixed chamber in which the water level can be varied; whereas in a caisson lock, a boat lift, or on a canal inclined plane, it is the chamber itself that rises and falls.

Warded lock Type of keyed lock

A warded lock is a type of lock that uses a set of obstructions, or wards, to prevent the lock from opening unless the correct key is inserted. The correct key has notches or slots corresponding to the obstructions in the lock, allowing it to rotate freely inside the lock.

Lock and key Mechanical or electronic fastening device

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A repeating rifle is a single-barreled rifle capable of repeated discharges between each ammunition reloads. This is typically achieved by having multiple cartridges stored in a magazine and then fed individually into the chamber by a reciprocating bolt, via either a manual or automatic action mechanism, while the act of chambering the round typically also recocks the hammer/striker for the following shot. In common usage, the term "repeating rifle" most often refers specifically to manual repeating rifles, as opposed to self-loading rifles, which use the recoil and/or blowback of the previous shot to cycle the action and load the next round, even though all self-loading firearms are technically a subcategory of repeating firearms.

Lever tumbler lock Type of lock

A lever tumbler lock is a type of lock that uses a set of levers to prevent the bolt from moving in the lock. In the simplest form of these, lifting the tumbler above a certain height will allow the bolt to slide past.

Mortise lock Mortise locks are type of locks having handle itself and are modern applicable locks for doors with many varieties

A mortise lock is a lock that requires a pocket—the mortise—to be cut into the edge of the door or piece of furniture into which the lock is to be fitted. In most parts of the world, mortise locks are found on older buildings constructed before the advent of bored cylindrical locks, but they have recently become more common in commercial and upmarket residential construction in the United States. They are widely used in domestic properties of all ages in Europe.

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Breechblock

A breechblock is the part of the firearm action that closes the breech of a breech loading weapon before or at the moment of firing. It seals the breech and contains the pressure generated by the ignited propellant. Retracting the breech allows the chamber to be loaded with a cartridge.

Padlock In order

Padlocks are portable locks with a shackle that may be passed through an opening to prevent use, theft, vandalism or harm.

Latch Mechanical fastener

A latch or catch is a type of mechanical fastener that joins two objects or surfaces while allowing for their regular separation. A latch typically engages another piece of hardware on the other mounting surface. Depending upon the type and design of the latch, this engaged bit of hardware may be known as a keeper or strike.

Skeleton key Key able to unlock multiple warded locks

A skeleton key is a type of master key in which the serrated edge has been removed in such a way that it can open numerous locks, most commonly the warded lock. The term derives from the fact that the key has been reduced to its essential parts.

Wafer tumbler lock Type of lock

A wafer tumbler lock is a type of lock that uses a set of flat wafers to prevent the lock from opening unless the correct key is inserted. This type of lock is similar to the pin tumbler lock and works on a similar principle. However, unlike the pin tumbler lock, where each pin consists of two or more pieces, each wafer in the lock is a single piece. The wafer tumbler lock is often incorrectly referred to as a disc tumbler lock, which uses an entirely different mechanism.

Mechanical watch

A mechanical watch is a watch that uses a clockwork mechanism to measure the passage of time, as opposed to quartz watches which function electronically via a small battery, or radio watches, which are quartz watches synchronized to an atomic clock via radio waves. A mechanical watch is driven by a mainspring which must be wound either periodically by hand or via a self-winding mechanism. Its force is transmitted through a series of gears to power the balance wheel, a weighted wheel which oscillates back and forth at a constant rate. A device called an escapement releases the watch's wheels to move forward a small amount with each swing of the balance wheel, moving the watch's hands forward at a constant rate. The escapement is what makes the 'ticking' sound which is heard in an operating mechanical watch. Mechanical watches evolved in Europe in the 17th century from spring powered clocks, which appeared in the 15th century.

Door breaching is a process used by military, police, or emergency services to force open closed and/or locked doors. A wide range of methods are available, one or more of which may be used in any given situation. Regarding the use of specified tools for forcible entry, there are several other methods of door breaching. These methods may be divided up into mechanical breaching, ballistic breaching, hydraulic breaching, explosive breaching, and thermal breaching.

This is a glossary of locksmithing terms.

References

  1. Keith Mayers (1979), A Dictionary of Locksmithing (PDF), p. 4, ISBN   0-9604860-0-3