Pin Tumbler Variants

Nov 21, 2004 Last reply: 21 years ago 1 Replies

In the early 1980's there was an article in Popular Mechanics or Popular Science or similar about high security lock cylinders. The article mentioned three types:



  1. Emhart with angle cuts - practically obsolete now?
  2. Huck Pin cylinder - used spool pins and other allied technicues to make it highly pick resistant.
  3. A cylinder with two auxiliary rows of pins in addition to the main pins. These pins had drivers and springs in the normal manner and the rows were offset 30 to 45 or so degrees from vertical. These rows would have to be radial otherwise some means of stopping the pins and drivers rotating would be needed.

Were the latter two types ever manufactured or did they never leave the drawing board?


Yes. Type 3, Sergeant made the Keso system of dimple keys and also Dom make something similar. The high end BMWs in the 70's has dimple keys and I believe Lancia also used them for a while.

Type 2 has seen use over the years from many manufacturers.

Type 1 is still in common use. Medeco makes them.

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