View source for NATO Mersey

= NATO Mersey =
{{Lock model
|name = NATO Mersey
|Img = File:Mersey_Lock_04.jpg
|maker = 
|lock_type = [[Safe|Safe lock]]
|lock_design = [[Lever]]
|years_produced = 197x - 199x
|patent =
|related = 
| spec_on       = true
| spec_comptype = [[lever]]
| spec_comp     = 10 or 14
}}

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 [[safe]]s 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.


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== 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.<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.<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>

== Key security features ==

Add to me!

== The 14 lever variant ==

<center><gallery>
File:Mersey Lock 04.jpg| Lock with top cover on and key inserted.
File:Mersey Lock 02.jpg | 14 lever key.
File:Mersey Lock 08.jpg | 14 lever lock with back removed.
File:Mersey Lock 09.jpg | 14 lever lock showing blocking mechanism. Note that the curtain is missing and the 14 lever does not have the extra locking mechanism of the later model mersey 10 levers also of note is the lead plate incorporated into the bolt to provide protection from radiological decoding.
File:Mersey Lock 07.jpg | 14 lever key and curtain in the back-plate of the lock.
File:Mersey_Lock_03.jpg
</gallery></center>

== 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==
<references />


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


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

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