Abloy Classic

Abloy Classic

Abloy Classic
Name	Abloy Classic
Manufacturer	Abloy
Lock Type	Cylinder, Padlock
Lock Design	Disc-detainer
Year(s) Produced	1907 - Present
Patent	US 1,514,318
Specifications
# of Components	5 to 11
Component Type	Disc-detainer
Related Locks
Abloy Profile Abloy Disklock Abloy Exec Abloy Easy

The Abloy Classic is a disc-detainer lock made by Abloy. The Classic uses between 5 and 11 discs that interface with a sidebar. Designed in 1907 by Emil Henriksson, it is distinguished as being the first disc-detainer lock design. Classic models are easily identified because they use a half circle ("D" shape) keyway. The Classic has since been superseded by many other models, the latest of which is the Abloy Easy.

Principles of operation

Abloy literature refers to the plug as the "cylinder" and the cylinder as the "housing". Lockwiki uses the traditional terms to avoid confusion.

The Classic works by using angled bitting cuts on the key to properly rotate discs. The key is inserted and rotated 90°; the angled cuts on the key rotate the discs in the lock. If all the discs are rotated to the correct position the sidebar can fall into the true gates and the plug can be rotated. Washers are placed between discs to ensure that the key rotates each disc individually.

There are six positions available for discs, at 18° increments between 0° and 90°. In an eleven disc lock, there are 362,797,056 (6¹¹) theoretical key differs, but only 9,760,500 valid keys. A valid key does not have the same cut in more than three consecutive positions.

Discs provide manipulation resistance in the form of false gates. In addition, they may use a modified cut-out shape to deter the use of improperly shaped tools. The first disc in the lock is made of hardened steel and is free-floating. This provides drill resistance as well as lockpicking resistance.

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  The Classic sidebar.

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  The discs improperly aligned.

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  The discs properly aligned.

Notes

• The first disc (hardened steel) is always a 0 cut (90°). The PL3020 padlock uses a brass first disc.
• Master keying is made possible by multiple true gates cut on each disc.
• The sidebar may be round (round true gates) or L shaped (square true gates). Modern Abloy designs use the L shaped sidebar, with the exception of the PL330C padlock and cam locks. The "L" shape prevents drilling and removal of the sidebar without drilling through the entire disc pack.

Disassembly instructions

Disassembly of the Abloy Classic is fairly simple, though care must be taken to ensure the discs, washers, and sidebar are removed properly. Discs cannot be flipped around and the order of washers must be preserved to ensure proper function once reassembled.

Padlocks

Note: The shackle must first be released via a key or other method of entry to non-destructively disassemble Abloy padlocks.

1. Unlock the lock and release the shackle.
2. With an allen wrench, unscrew the cylinder retaining screw (Hole on the side, near the bottom. Releasing the shackle clears this area.)
3. Lock the shackle and remove the key.
4. With the bow end of the key, unscrew and remove the cylinder faceplate.
5. Remove the plug and sidebar. Holding the disc stack with a key is recommended.

Cam locks

1. Remove the cam.
2. With a flathead screwdriver, remove the C-clip by lightly tapping counter clockwise.
3. Remove the plug and sidebar from the back of the cylinder.

Vulnerabilities

Abloy Classic pick by Jaakko Fagerlund

The Classic may be vulnerable to one or more of the following:

• Lockpicking
• Impressioning
• Decoding

Notes

• If a round sidebar is used the front of the cylinder can be drilled and sidebar removed to unlock the lock.
• For lockpicking, a front-tensioned Classic will only rotate the first disc 90°. Others will be tensioned elsewhere and the first disc will rotate freely.

Gallery

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  A complete set of discs from an Abloy Classic.

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  Classic discs and false gates.

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  Two Abloy padlocks featuring the Classic profile and matching keys.

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  Abloy PL318 padlock featuring Moominpappa character.

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  Abloy PL318 padlock featuring Snufkin character, with packaging.

See also

• Abloy
• Disc-detainer
• Sidebar