Roll Top Desk Questions

Hello, My wife and I cleaned out her parents house after both passed away. One of the items I'm interested in selling is my father in law's roll top desk. I'm not sure who is the manufacturer of it. I was thinking of posting an add for it on Craig's List, but I'd like to find a site that deals with this type of furniture. Since I don't know anything about the desk, I don't know if it's classified as an antique. I was going to post pictures of it on this forum but saw it requires a link to do so. I'll look into that and figure out how to post a picture.

One other thing, there was no key for the roll top and I accidently closed it. I didn't know the roll top would automatically lock. I researched skeleton keys online to figure out how that type of locking system works. I do diy fabrication and came up with a crude skeleton key and managed to manipulate the lock enough to unlock the rolltop. Does anyone know how I can figure out a key for the lock. I removed the lock and tried to study it, but it's riveted together and uses flush type rivets. All I have are pop rivets. So I don't want to take it apart since my pop rivets would not be flush and not allow the lock mechanism to go back into the roll top.

 

I don't know what is available around you but i would call our local locksmith that also specializes in old locks. They have just about every type of old key known. You tend to find this type in older cities where the old locks turn up, though.

 

This page will be helpful for that
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/are-u-a-new-member-just-found-this-site-look-here-1st.84307/

 

SInce you took the lock out,try to find an old local hardware store and take the lock with you. I once found a key for an art deco desk by doing just that.