The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello to any locksmiths among members!

I suspect the lock on my recently acquired Victrola VV-X is defective. The wings that actually lock the lid shut refuse to come out of the bolt, unless I push down on the pin that's visible in the side view photo. Perhaps there's a broken spring between the wings?
I'm using a mystery generic key, not the proper key, that is able to lift the bolt without making the wings come out. Would using the proper key make them come out?
If not, I'm just wondering if these locks can be repaired. As they are bolted together, I doubt they can be taken apart.

So do I get a proper key and try it?
Or just chuck it in the bin and get another one?
Your opinions would be greatly appreciated.

It may have been best to have posted this 'key' question in your other thread regarding your incorrect key.

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=25762

The key you show in the other thread isn't even close to the correct cut or pattern. It also appears to have been messed with. So, I think you have answered your own question.....get a proper key and problem solved. There is very little to go wrong with these Victor locks and therefore quite reliable when used with a correct key.
To settle your curiosity about your key.....it's just an ordinary cabinet key for cupboard or china, etc... nothing to do with Phonographs.

You can find a nickel V key on Ebay. There is always one for sale on there.
Hope this helps.. .

Try lubricating the lock. For something that is 100 plus years old, have a tendency to stick. Use very light weight oil for model trains, R/C cars and such. I had a similar experience on one of my Victrolas. I worked the oil using the key and pressing the wings with my fingers, and it has been working fine ever since.
Harvey Kravitz

And make sure you test the lock with the lid up!

Gramophone78 is probably right. If I pull on the bolt, which I can now do given the oil has begun to penetrate, the wings come out completely. So it isn't a problem with a broken wing spring, if there even is such a thing.
Will get a proper nickel-plated key.
Newbie says thanks.

Well I bought a nickel-plated key on eBay as suggested, but the thing doesn't turn inside at all.
Which means there were several designs of the key, and I didn't end up with the correct one.
So the only alternative is to go to the next show in Wayne and try some keys with lock in hand.
Maybe someone will accept to trade...

VV-Montreal wrote:Well I bought a nickel-plated key on eBay as suggested, but the thing doesn't turn inside at all.
Which means there were several designs of the key, and I didn't end up with the correct one.
So the only alternative is to go to the next show in Wayne and try some keys with lock in hand.
Maybe someone will accept to trade...

Well, unless someone has altered/changed the correct lock (possible since there are other alterations/changes with your machine), the correct key is has shown above for your model. Here is a pic of another Victrola X like yours (posted by Brianu) that shows the correct key posted in one of your other threads.
Maybe, you need to look for a correct lock..??. Victor only used this one 'V' key design (nickel or gold) on models from this period. Can you please post a pic of the key you bought...??.

My guess is that the lock you have is buggered from using the wrong key and now the correct key won't even work. I wouldn't trust the lock at this point. If the machine's lid gets stuck in the closed & locked position, you're screwed.

Solution? Get another correct Victrola lock.

FWIW, I have individual keys for all my Victor machines but I almost never have need to lock the lids (or the record doors). In my 20+ years of collecting I have found that keys are fun to have but not a necessity. I still like to keep correct keys with all my machines just for completeness. I have a music box for which I'm still looking for a key. Yeah it's a strange obsession. Good luck with your lock and key.

gramophone78 wrote:

VV-Montreal wrote:Well I bought a nickel-plated key on eBay as suggested, but the thing doesn't turn inside at all.
Which means there were several designs of the key, and I didn't end up with the correct one.
So the only alternative is to go to the next show in Wayne and try some keys with lock in hand.
Maybe someone will accept to trade...

Well, unless someone has altered/changed the correct lock (possible since there are other alterations/changes with your machine), the correct key is has shown above for your model. Here is a pic of another Victrola X like yours (posted by Brianu) that shows the correct key posted in one of your other threads.
Maybe, you need to look for a correct lock..??. Victor only used this one 'V' key design (nickel or gold) on models from this period. Can you please post a pic of the key you bought...??.

The attachment IMG_3094.JPG is no longer available

Here's a pic of the key, which works perfectly on my VV-XVI. So it would seem there is a problem with the lock, if indeed only one kind of V key was made by Victor. What a bummer.