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Well this was definitely the MOST challenging lock I've ever picked. I bought yet another VP months ago... supposedly "broke" at an estate sale (Thanks 63mini for informing me) for $125. Definitely original paint but replacement feet. I brought it home and sprayed a dab of contact cleaner/lubricant in the slide, stuck a nickel in and the thing worked fine. Plays and plays perfectly, but no key for the original lock.
Finally a week ago I decided to try picking it. I've picked Yale locks, Corbin locks and a few "high security" locks but this was an entirely different ball game. I spent about an hour or so each night just fiddling with various picks, peeking in to see the pins, etc. I never made any progress but I actually was getting the feel of what was going on.
I modified a few picks and got a better feel of moving/manipulating the pins but I couldn't grab them the way I wanted.
Finally after three sessions of non productivity, the forth was the charm. This time I used a thin tension wrench as a pick, along with a snake pick and another tension wrench, to use as such. I had to "sandwich" the pins multiple times using the thin tension wrench and the pick, and then open the top to fit in the "real" tension wrench, without losing or changing the angle of the topmost pick. Otherwise I'd have to start over since the "up" pins would flip back up.
So this time I must have just got it right the first time. I sandwiched everything in (Three hands would have been nice!) and just created a wave motion with the two pick tools. About a minute later... the lock turned open! I don't believe this lock was ever modified either. Everything inside was quite original and fairly clean as well. Unfortunately no s/n sticker on the case but that's ok. There my success story. Well now to rekey it. I may try myself since Dave Berten is MIA again.

Pretty amazing story! Congratulations on your accomplishment!

Terrific job picking the lock! If you're able to re-key this lock, are you considering making keys for other Mills locks? You'd have a bunch of customers out there if you do.
Do you mind showing pictures of the two lock picking devices (the two thin tension wrenches, along with the snake pick) that you used to finally unlock the lock? Others may be able to learn from your expertise.
Thanks!

I re keyed this mills lock. Works good.

Thanks for the replies and the re-key photos.
I too am going to re-key my lock. In the past I would have sent it to someone but now I know how to do it. I was at first worried that it will "kill" the lock, so to speak, but at this point - it makes no difference anymore. The VP isn't in use at any casino so I don't need the lock to be "as original" anymore. It will still lock the door in place just fine and be basically original but modified for the new key. I do have two original VP locks and keys, which is nice.
Later this week, I'll add photos and the technique I used to pick this. Prepare to spend a lot of time! I'm no expert but I've been successfully picking more and more different locks but the key (haha PUN intended) is patience and having a really good sense of feel and touch through your fingers.

Nice work well done .

I heard its super hard so the fact you've done it great job

Thank you!
Being really ambidextrous helps!
More to follow.

Here are the three tools I used: one is the snake pick, two are torsion wrenches with the thin one being used as a pick. I modified the torsion wrench so I had more maneuverability for the other two.
I couldn't get a photo of them "in use" because it takes both hands to do this. I have been picking regular locks for a number of years now so I have a good sense of feeling.
Basically I used the snake and thin torsion bar together, holding them like chopsticks to sandwich and manipulate the pins. The problem is it may take a LONG time to get all the pins in the correct up/down position for the lock to turn. So you need patience.

Glad to report I've done the same thing last week.
My new vest pocket came with the key broken within it.
I had to order a key Extractor Tools Kit to remove broken key, and then pick the lock

Sslots wrote:Glad to report I've done the same thing last week.
My new vest pocket came with the key broken within it.
I had to order a key Extractor Tools Kit to remove broken key, and then pick the lock

Was it just a small piece of the key though?
I'd think if it was a big enough part of the key, that you could have kept it in there and used a torsion wrench to turn it open.