Why would a Jennings Century vendor have mills locks?

[mrcoin]

No keys for them either. I really hate to drill 'em

[Midcoast Vintage]

probably because an operator switched them at some point in time.
common practice.
yale locks, which jennings used during this era, have the same screw / bolt pattern as the mills bell locks.
if you have any mills keys, play around with them before you drill.
you may get lucky... it does happen on occasion.

[mrcoin]

Thanks. That's what I thought might have happened. I'm going over and try all the spare mills keys I can find tomorrow. I have access to about a hundred of them.
The flat key locks on the vendor doors will be easy.

[mrcoin]

Well, I got lucky on the upper back door and found a mills key that fit. Lower cash door, not so lucky. So off to my lock smith today to see if he has a mills key that will work, or else it's drill time. At least he has a way of drilling a mills lock so that any mills key inserted will open the lock.

[Midcoast Vintage]

if you got the top door off, you don't need to worry.
unbolt the sub-base, and the bottom door will come off.
then you can re-key the mills lock which easy to do.

[mrcoin]

Thanks ill give it a try. Looks like the front bolts are below the base though.

[mrcoin]

Worked like a charm. Removed the two rear carriage bolts and two hold down screws and the base lifted just enough in the back to get the cash box door off. Made a new key in a snap. All is well now and another bell lock saved from drilling.
Thanks guys.

[Midcoast Vintage]

you're welcome.
glad to help.
that is what this forum is all about.