5 ms·
The Bowley lock is pretty close to a purely physical lock that cannot be opened non destructively without the key. Basically it is a warded pin tumbler lock, th
by gnopgnip 5y ago
The Bowley lock is pretty close to a purely physical lock that cannot be opened non destructively without the key. Basically it is a warded pin tumbler lock, the pins are 180 degrees offset from where you put the key in, surrounded by a steel cylinder that needs another 180 degree bend. This combination of the 180 degree offset and the narrow bend really limits what kind of tools a lockpick can use. With the offset they can't insert and remove individual tools without rotating and retracting all of them, losing any tension or set pins. Because of the bend they won't be able to manipulate all the pins with one tool either. So a lockpick would need a tool to tension, and 3 or more picks to manipulate the pins. The physical tolerances of the lock really limits bumping, there is limited front to back play, so full depth cuts won't work. There are also the usual security measures to limit bumping and electric lock guns, zero lift pin, security pins.