NATO Mersey: Difference between revisions

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== General ==
== General ==


The NATO Mersey exists in two distinct guises, each with some evolutionary revisions: the 10 lever variant and the 14 lever variant. Both locks share a number of common security features having a common ancestry. These locks were produced for the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) during the cold war in the 1970’s through to the 1990’s. There are similarities to the Chatwood Milner Manifoil, having been produced by the same manufacturer and both were in common use by the SSG, the group which secures the MOD of the United Kingdom (UK).
The NATO Mersey exists in two distinct guises, each with some evolutionary revisions: the 10 lever variant and the 14 lever variant. Both locks share a number of common security features having a common ancestry. Made for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) during the 1970’s through to the 1990’s, these locks use a unique V-shaped key.<ref>[https://abbeygatelocksmiths.co.uk/our-collections/ Abbeygates online lock and locksmiths museum]</ref>


In some instances, the keys for the Mersey were stored in a key safe protected by a [[Mark IV Manifoil]] combination lock.
In some instances, the keys for the Mersey were stored in a key safe protected by a [[Mark IV Manifoil]] combination lock.<ref>[https://blackbag.toool.nl/?p=77#comment-188055 BlackBag comment from "John"]</ref><ref>[https://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=47771#p410754 LP101 comment from "twixt3&20characters"]</ref>


The lock has an unusual “V” shaped brass key (earlier models had a plastic key that was prone to breaking). The lock also has a plastic cover locked into place by the mechanism itself and can only be taken off using the key - the reason was to stop the lock being tampered with between manufacturing and fitting. <ref>[https://abbeygatelocksmiths.co.uk/our-collections/ Abbeygates online lock and locksmiths museum]</ref>
== Key security features ==


== Key security features ==
The principle security features are common to both the 14 and the 10 lever. They are:
* Two stacks of levers that are operated in parallel. Both of these must be set before the stump will pass the true gates
* The majority of levers have at least 1, if not 2, false gates.
* The stump and the false gates are made in such a way as to lock firmly together
* The bolt locking mechanism.


Add to me!
It is the last of these that is reasonably unique to the NATO Mersey locks


== The 14 lever variant ==
== The 14 lever variant ==
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== The 10 lever variant ==
== The 10 lever variant ==


Add to me!
The 10 lever variant of the Mersey exists in at least three iterations. There are those early models where the lever pivot bolt is free to slide along a captive slot, in later models this slot becomes a round hole and finally square. The ability of the lever pivot is a key part of the bolt blocking mechanism.


==References==
==References==
<references />
<references />
==External Links==
* [https://www.nato.int/nato-welcome/index.html What is NATO?]


== See also ==
== See also ==
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* [[Safe]]
* [[Safe]]


[[Category:Chubb]][[Category:Lever locks]][[Category:Lock models]][[Category:Safe locks]]
[[Category:Lever locks]][[Category:Lock models]][[Category:Safe locks]]

Latest revision as of 14:17, 24 December 2022

NATO Mersey

NATO Mersey
Mersey Lock 04.jpg
Name NATO Mersey
Lock Type Safe lock
Lock Design Lever
Year(s) Produced 197x - 199x
Specifications
# of Components 10 or 14
Component Type Lever


The Mersey is a lever lock made by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Ministry of Defense (MOD). It features a distinct puck shaped housing which is designed to fit on safes used by the MOD. The Mersey can also be identified by its V shaped key which actuates two independent sets of levers inside the lock.



General

The NATO Mersey exists in two distinct guises, each with some evolutionary revisions: the 10 lever variant and the 14 lever variant. Both locks share a number of common security features having a common ancestry. Made for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) during the 1970’s through to the 1990’s, these locks use a unique V-shaped key.[1]

In some instances, the keys for the Mersey were stored in a key safe protected by a Mark IV Manifoil combination lock.[2][3]

Key security features

The principle security features are common to both the 14 and the 10 lever. They are:

  • Two stacks of levers that are operated in parallel. Both of these must be set before the stump will pass the true gates
  • The majority of levers have at least 1, if not 2, false gates.
  • The stump and the false gates are made in such a way as to lock firmly together
  • The bolt locking mechanism.

It is the last of these that is reasonably unique to the NATO Mersey locks

The 14 lever variant

The 10 lever variant

The 10 lever variant of the Mersey exists in at least three iterations. There are those early models where the lever pivot bolt is free to slide along a captive slot, in later models this slot becomes a round hole and finally square. The ability of the lever pivot is a key part of the bolt blocking mechanism.

References


External Links


See also