How to open a lock?

[erzane]

Hello there!
Ive found a Miwa SG 1732 lock and Id like to open it. How to remove that ring? Is there any specific tool?
Once open, I'd like to clean the parts with some Simple Green. Can I plunge the key into a bath of water mixed with simple green?
After that, is it ok to bring the parts to the factory to make it zinc plated? The parts will be plunged into a chemical acid bath then electrolysed.
Would these step/process damage the inside of the key (the locking mecanics)?
Thanks!

[Pete]

It should just come off with a bit of force using a flat head screw driver its the direction setter so you can either turn the lock one way or another.

[erzane]

Thanks! I opened it successfuly. Here is how it is inside :

I understand now the meaning of ''magnetic''. There are three magnets reacting to the key. The magnets goes into three chambers covered by two kind of security ''scales'' (there are four chambers in total but only three are used since there are only three magnets). Each magnet comes with a spring (to make it goes in and out). Once the key is putted on, the magnets are moving into the chambers then you can turn the key on/off (without any magnet, the mecanisme is still working but you can also turn it on/off with your fingers)

Once the lock is dismounted, the two main parts can go to be zinc plated. The ring should be ''yellow'' plated (the main parts ''blue''). But first I guess it would be good to plunge the main parts into a Simple Green bath in prevision of the plating.

[cools]

What about a lock like this, how can it be opened?

[cools]