AUTOLOCKSMITHS • 83
Bilfix patent drawing of 1932 and adopted
by Wilmot Breeden into vehicle locks.
Bilfix track keys taken up by Wilmot Breeden for car locks.
any spring loading but a spring pressed
tumbler 27 of the form shown in Fig. 9
may be fitted for engagement by a sloping
end of the key. The rotatable barrel 3 may
effect the withdrawal of a locking plunger
4 for the shackle of a padlock, Fig. 1, or
actuate a tumbler 38 and withdraw the
bolt of a mortice lock, Fig.14. A guide rib 15
in the barrel 3 positions the key.”
Another company from mainland
Europe, the Dutch firm of Lips were quick
to promote security locks for vehicles,
emphasizing their patent anti-drill
cylinder.
A69 motor vehicle lock Introduced
by H&TV in 1924, the lock continued
when Yale took over the company
when it became known as the M69.
The main variations of the Automobile
Association keys, and still treasured by
motoring enthusiasts today even though
the roadside boxes are long gone.
The caption reads:
“stolen an expensive
car because she was
not provided with
a Lips’ car lock”.
One lock which will be familiar to
locksmiths today is the H&TV A69 lock,
now known as the M69 and was used on
Rolls Royce, Bentley and other limousines.
The lock enjoyed a very long production
run and even now is produced by
Western Body Hardware (WBH).
With the appearance of the motor car
an organisation emerged in 1905 to look
after the interests of the motorist, primarily
to warn members of speed traps! – The
AA or the Automobile Association. The
first AA keys were of the cabinet type and
fitted special boxes which were placed
in hotel foyers. Interestingly enough the
cabinets would include a mirror, comb,
brush and a map. Patrols, on bicycles
started a few years later. The first roadside
boxes appeared about 1911 and were
primarily shelters for the patrols. By 1926
‘AA’ keys were issued to and treasured
by the members. Today it’s amazing how
many motorists still have an AA key on
their key ring even though the roadside
boxes have long since disappeared.
The motor car now firmly established
the locks and security started to be
developed by emerging specialist
companies such as Wilmot Breeden,
although they did use cylinder plugs by
Union. The locks, in the main, were quite
basic with perhaps less than a hundred
differs, everybody is familiar with the FS,
FA, FP, FT series of keys.
The post WWII years saw vehicle theft
sore and add-on or upgrade locks such
as gear stick locks, steering wheel locks
locking wheel nuts and wheel-clamps
were offered; even the fuel was targeted
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | NOV/DEC 2018
Sponsored by ABUS
Lips upgrade locks for early vehicles
with their anti-drill ball bearing inserts.
An intriguing car shaped folding
key which looks like a pin safe key
at the working end but also with
vertical slots in the face of the bit.
So far this key remains a mystery
so if readers can throw any insights
on this one do get in touch.
Adjustable gearstick/handbrake
lock from the 1980’s effectively
immobilising the vehicle.
by syphoning sparking several aftermarket
locking fuel cap brands. Some of these
items required expert fitting providing
an extra speciality for the locksmith. The
after-market role of vehicle security and
the locksmith has now developed into
a specialist area within the industry with
electric and electronic technologies, but
still has mechanics at its core.
Brian Morland, curator of the Heritage
Collection of locks and keys, welcomes
comments and corrections on historical
aspects of locks and keys. Brian can be
contacted by email: [email protected]