National cash register locked keys

Ok so I recently bought an old all steel vintage National cash register which I was able to operate and ring up and open the draw. I noticed a key when I opened the front panel I noticed a key and it worked on the counter so I tried it on the left side of the cabinet to see what it does, well I turned it and found that it locked all the keys on the cash register from moving I took it apart and found the lock and I can turn it but it does not release.

 

Here are 2 photos any help would be appreciated

 

One more I think the others were upside down

 

Hello, Attila! An interesting question, but I'm thinking it might be better seen by the right people if one of our intrepid moderators moved this out of Introductions and into either the Antique Discussion Forum or the Tools Forum. @daveydempsey @Bookahtoo

 

The only thing I remember about learning to run a newer National brand cash register on the left hand side was a key with a door and a crank - to use it if the power went off! And I actually HAD to do that once! I don't remember it locking the entire keyboard though..

 

Have you tried a lubricant, something might be stuck.

 

AND all THREE images are identical!!! I've enlarged it.....easier to see.....

 

Yah, thanks Aquitaine, that's the same looking kind of key used for the old electric model I learned to count change from, the one that I could crank without power. I suspect that key is for the same purpose, that somewhere in the workings, there is another setting that unlocks the keypad..

 

@Attila Havassy , I did a youtube search for "national cash register jammed" and came up with a bunch of interesting videos that could possibly help for you, here is one such example:

 

Nice video antidiem and great link inh.

 

Thanks that’s a start so I sprayed the lock and most of the inside. I will leave it alone and see what happens. I am so impressed with all the help so thanks so much to you all.

 

Hello the key will turn from the horizontal position shown 90 degrees CW and turn back but I can not turn any farther

 

I also applied a heavy amount of 3in1 lock lube to the lock and mechanism

 

Apparently, there are a lot of collectors and specialists out there, here is only one from a google search:
https://www.myoldncr.com/

Here is a video on how to unjam national cash registers:
https://brassregisters.com/ncr/info/unjam.htm

I noticed there is also a facebook group for national cashregisters!
Please keep us updated on your progress and restoration. We love to see the end results!

 

As a locksmith, I cringe at your comment about using "heavy amounts" of anything. You can really gum up a lock and make it worse. You should NEVER use graphite. Think about it - graphite is a solid. Pencil shavings. If someone has already used an oil based lubricant you have now created a solid sludge inside the lock. WD40 is the best thing to use on a stuck lock.

Do you have a local locksmith (old fashioned kind, not the guy at Home Depot) in your area that you can take it to?

 

Hello folks quick up date here turns out the key I have is not for this lock the lock on this older cash register did not have a “pin and Tumbler” lock it had an older style “lever lock” commonly used prior to 1920. A friend of mine who is a locksmith explained it and easily unlocked the lock and now the cash register works fine. I will continue to clean it up.