The Locksmith Journal Nov/Dec 2021 - Issue 77 | Page 50

What a show that was

With all the Covid disruption since the last show no none knew what to expect from the EXPO21 event . What would the footfall be like ? How many exhibitors would there be ? Well we needn ’ t have worried – it was a fantastic show .
By Brian Morland
Kromer Duplex with key board activated and ready for the combination to be entered . Enter each 2 digit number of the combination followed by ‘ E ’, after the fourth number has been entered the unit will automatically dial the combination and if correct open the lock . Note that every time the ‘ E ’ is pressed the key board numerals appear in different positions .
A Kromer conventional 4 wheel combination lock body , and below with cap removed .
» VISITORS FROM UK , IRELAND , Europe , and America and many other locations the only exceptions seemed to be Australia and that was probably due to their strict isolation polices about reentry at the moment .
One observation was that , at least from visitors to our own stand was that many stayed for more than one day . It was very pleasing to see three or four people huddled around the interactive exhibits table lost in time and space exploring one feature or another of the artefact . It seemed that there was always somebody on the stand looking and asking questions . This makes the effort worthwhile to know that it ’ s something people want to see .
We had , on the interactive table this year , two locks which fascinated most visitors ; indeed much time was spent playing with them . They were of course the two Kromer 4 wheel combination locks . One we have exhibited before , the Kro-Simplex fitted to a Kromer 4 wheel combination lock ; although the dialling sequence is not a problem for locksmiths end users sometimes find it challenging . Mental dexterity remembering rotational direction , number of turns and the actual combination numbers cause many to get into a tangle and have to redial . The Kro-Simplex removed one element ; the
Kromer ’ s Differential lock ; the bits , controlled by the lock , fan out inside the lock making it impossible to copy .
The Kromer Duplex motor driven dial . Several locksmiths at the show took up the challenge to work out the combination . Gary Stephenson was first followed by Jon Drake .
keeping in mind the number of revolutions the dial is rotated bringing a combination number to the mark . Simply rotate the dial until the first number comes up to the mark , reverse direction and keep rotating the dial until the second number comes up to the mark ; continue until the last number is set and simply push in the dial and turn until unlocked .
The other Kromer on display , the Duplex , achieves the same result in a very different way . After activating the keypad the combination is entered by pressing the buttons corresponding to the dialling numbers set ; once the final number has been entered the unit dials via the electrical driven spindle and if correct goes on and opens the lock . No counting revolutions , no worrying about which way to dial – very clever and ideal for the client although more expensive .
Another display feature that generated a lot of interest at the show was the Tangential lock by Bode Panzer . This was the lock that protected the Enigma code machine rotors and code books on WWII German battleships and submarines . Our display featured several locks of this type by Arneheim , Bode Panzer , Kromer and others such as the differential . The Kromer Differential key looks like an
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NOV / DEC 2021
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