Brass or bronze unknown item ?

[gerspee]

Thanks all for the learning reactions . Small item but a lot off useful information about these locks ..

[awhitetriangle]

anyone got any ideas on how to open it?

My guess is, ….. a key “slot” is placed over the upper right “rivet” in photo #3 and a twisting action will move (slide) the rivet head and open the lock.

There was a “strongbox” posted on AFQ that had a “keyhole” and a “key” but the key didn’t work in the “keyhole”.  And that was because the actual “keyhole” was hidden under a “moveable” medallion on the backside of the “strongbox”.

very good guess mate, but not quite! the first stage is to push the top right corner rivet upwards, while pulling the pin and both ends of the mechanism. this gets you to the next step. pic below.

[KC]

This is wayyyyy tooo neat!!!  I would love to come across one of these to befuddle people with!