Antique Slot Machine Keys and Locks: What to Do When the Keys Are Missing
Missing keys are one of the most common problems with antique slot machines, and one of the most fixable. Machines changed hands for decades, keys were kept on separate rings, and plenty of machines were sold locked. The good news is that a locked machine is rarely a lost cause. The bad news is that the fastest way in, a drill, is also the one most likely to damage the machine's originality.
This guide explains how locks are usually arranged on antique slots, the options for getting keys, and how to decide between keeping an original lock and replacing it.
How locks are usually laid out
Lock layout varies by maker, model and era, so treat this as a general guide and confirm against your machine and its reference literature.
| Lock | What it protects | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| Back door lock | Access to the mechanism | You need this one to inspect, clean or repair anything inside |
| Coin box or cash box lock | The coin collection area | Needed to empty coins or tokens and to check the coin path |
| Additional locks | Some machines have other locked compartments or panels | Count the keyholes on your machine so nothing is a surprise |
Before you contact anyone, photograph each lock face and note where it is. That makes it easier for a locksmith or a fellow collector to tell you what they're looking at.
Look for a key code first
Many locks have a code number stamped somewhere: on the face of the cylinder, on the side of the lock body, or on the original key. If you can read a code, a locksmith may be able to cut a working key by code, which is the cleanest possible outcome. You may need a loupe and a good light to read it. Grime can hide stamped numbers, so clean the face gently with a dry soft brush rather than anything abrasive.
If the seller still has an old key ring, ask for photos of all keys even if they say none of them fit. Keys get mixed up between machines.
Your options for opening a locked machine
- Cut a key by code. If there's a readable code, this is the first thing to try. It costs the least and leaves the machine untouched.
- Pick the lock. A locksmith who's comfortable with older locks can often open them without damage. Ask up front whether they've worked on vintage locks.
- Impression a key. A skilled locksmith can make a working key by fitting a blank to the lock. This also leaves the original lock intact.
- Remove the lock from the inside. Once one door is open, other locks can sometimes be removed from the inside and taken to a locksmith for keying.
- Drill as a last resort. Drilling destroys the original cylinder and can damage the surrounding casting if done carelessly. Only do it when everything else has failed, and have someone with experience do it.
Antique slot machines use cast parts, including pot metal on many machines. Prying a door or forcing a casting can crack it, and cast parts are often far harder to replace than a lock. If a door won't open with the key turned, stop and work out why.
Finding the right locksmith
Not every locksmith wants this kind of job. Look for one who handles antique furniture, safes or older commercial hardware, and describe the machine clearly when you call. Bringing a lock that's already been removed, if you can, makes the job easier. Coin-op collector clubs and forums can also point you toward people who've done this work before.
Be prepared to show that the machine is yours if the locksmith asks. A bill of sale is enough in most cases, and many locksmiths ask as a matter of policy for any lock-opening job.
Keep the original lock or replace it?
If an original lock works once you have a key, keep it. Originality matters to many collectors, and a working original lock with a correctly cut key is ideal. Replacement makes sense when a lock was already drilled, is broken internally, or is a later replacement anyway.
| Situation | Usual choice |
|---|---|
| Original lock, readable code, no key | Have a key cut by code |
| Original lock, no code, works when picked | Impression a key and keep the lock |
| Original lock, broken internally | Ask a locksmith if it can be repaired; replace only if not |
| Previously drilled lock | Replace with a period-appropriate or reproduction lock and note it |
| Obvious modern replacement | Keep for function or swap to a more appropriate style; your call |
If you do replace a lock, save the old one with the machine's records. It's part of the machine's history, and a future owner may want it.
Buying keys and replacement locks
Original keys and locks appear for sale on their own. Search antique slot machine keys on eBay and antique slot machine locks on eBay, and read each listing carefully. Make sure the listing tells you which maker and lock style the part fits, and ask for the code if one is stamped.
Reproduction locks and keys are also sold for restoration. They're perfectly reasonable for a working machine, but they should be described as reproductions, and you should note the change when you document the machine. For general research, check sold slot machine lock and key listings to see how parts are typically described.
Key management once you have them
- Tag each key with the machine and the lock it fits.
- Make a spare and store it separately from the machine.
- Write down any key codes in your machine records.
- When you sell the machine, include all keys and the codes.
- Don't leave keys hanging in the locks. It's an easy way to lose them and invites curious hands.
A small labeled key cabinet or a set of tag key rings makes this simple. Browse key tag sets on Amazon if you're keeping track of several machines.
To read a stamped code clearly, a lighted magnifier helps. Lighted magnifiers on Amazon cost far less than a mistaken key blank.
A quick legal note
Getting into a machine you own is ordinary maintenance. That said, a slot machine is still a regulated item in many places, and the rules on owning one vary by state. If you haven't already, research your state's law before you invest in keys and repairs. Our home page links to a legal research checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Can a locksmith make a key for an antique slot machine?
Often, yes. A locksmith may be able to cut a key from a code stamped on the lock, pick the lock, or impression a key. Ask whether they work on older locks before you book.
Where is the key code on a slot machine lock?
If there is one, it's commonly stamped on the face of the cylinder, on the lock body, or on the original key. Use a magnifier and good light, and clean gently with a dry brush if it's grimy.
Does drilling the lock hurt the value?
It removes an original part, and many collectors care about originality, so it can. Use drilling only as a last resort, and keep the drilled lock with the machine's records.
Are reproduction keys and locks acceptable?
For function, yes. They should be described honestly when you sell, and you should note the change in your records.
Patience over a drill
A locked antique slot machine is a small project, not a disaster. Look for a code, call a locksmith who knows older hardware, and keep the original lock if you can. Drill only when nothing else works, never pry a casting, and document every change. Your future self, and the next owner, will thank you.
Find more restoration and parts guides on the CoinSlots.co blog.