Antique Mills Slot Machine Back Door Key Help

[Officepot]

Hello! First time poster here!

Just acquired my first slot machine. I do not know much about it, but am a technical person and will have a lot of fun attempting to get it running correctly again. It pulls through and spins the wheels currently. It has some loose parts in the bottom so I assume there is some fixing to do here. My issue is I do not have a key for the back door. I have attached pictures of the slot machine as well as the back door from the inside and out. What is the best way to get into this lock? My last resort will be drilling it out but i would rather not do that. Should I get a lock-pick set and try to pick it open? Any help will be greatly appreciated!!!





IF the images do not work here are links to where I uploaded them...
https://imgur.com/a/gd5SZXE

[rtmccurdy]

Welcome to the forum! Mills locks are extremely difficult to pick even for experienced locksmiths. Since you can remove the front casting perhaps you can work a long thin screwdriver and gently tap on the nut holding the lock. You can release or remove the reel stop and payout springs (that cluster just behind the reel bundle) for better visibility. If this doesn't work, there is another solution, but it is far more aggressive. You would have to drill out the back two carriage bolts and try to gently force the rear wood base down (a 3" piece usually that could split but can be reglued) enough to release the back door from the protrusion on the metal base of the mechanism. On another note, once you start restoring the mechanism I can help with problem solving and possibly parts as I have been restoring QTs for quite a few years. You eventually will need the long out-of-print QT Repair Guide that I have available on a flash drive. Feel free to message me for my contact information. Good luck! Robert

[Officepot]

Welcome to the forum! Mills locks are extremely difficult to pick even for experienced locksmiths. Since you can remove the front casting perhaps you can work a long thin screwdriver and gently tap on the nut holding the lock. You can release or remove the reel stop and payout springs (that cluster just behind the reel bundle) for better visibility. If this doesn't work, there is another solution, but it is far more aggressive. You would have to drill out the back two carriage bolts and try to gently force the rear wood base down (a 3" piece usually that could split but can be reglued) enough to release the back door from the protrusion on the metal base of the mechanism. On another note, once you start restoring the mechanism I can help with problem solving and possibly parts as I have been restoring QTs for quite a few years. You eventually will need the long out-of-print QT Repair Guide that I have available on a flash drive. Feel free to message me for my contact information. Good luck! Robert

Hey Robert,

Thank you so much for the reply! I will see if I can get that nut off the back of the lock. Will update once I get that out.