Breaking chain locks using a Halligan bar - GIF

**Altair** · Dec 18, 2020, 04:42 PM

Breaking chain locks using a Halligan bar.

Previously:

Melting a padlock - GIF
Cutting a padlock in half with a waterjet - GIF
Transparent padlock - GIF
Collection of lock cutaways - photos
How a lockpick gun picks a lock - GIF

**Karl_H** · Dec 19, 2020, 05:58 PM

From the background, this looks like a fire department training session - how to do it when it needs to be done, NOW!

**trigger** · Dec 19, 2020, 07:45 PM

Boltcutter.....KISS

**desbromilow** · Dec 19, 2020, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by trigger

Boltcutter.....KISS

sorry - one extra tool to carry in the truck/ field, whereas the halligan has mulltiple uses and is already carried in US fire trucks, and a increasing number of nonUS trucks.

**Frank S** · Dec 19, 2020, 09:16 PM

Actually given that the chain was probably weaker than the padlock using 2 halligans In a link by rotating them in opposite directions will break the chain faster.
When dealing with the American 7000 series security locks you had better hope the chain links are the weaker of the 2

**neilbourjaily** · Dec 20, 2020, 03:23 PM

My brother, the retired Fairfax County Battalion Chief, says:
Yes the Halligan bar. It was tool was designed by and named after a New York City Fire Department (FDNY) First Deputy Chief named Hugh Halligan in 1948. It was later built by a blacksmith and then placed on every unit in the FDNY. It or a similar tool can be found on just about every piece of fire equipment at least in the US and maybe even worldwide. We always carried what was called a “Married Pair” also called “The Irons” It consisted of the halligan tool and a flat head ax tied together with a strap and easily separated when needed. The parts of the tool are the forks, which have a slight curve in them, the adz and the pick on the other end and is a solid tool. Very good tool for forcible entry and other destructive work

**Philip Davies** · Dec 23, 2020, 02:10 PM

Good that it can be struck like that, but I would not care to have it in my hands when it’s done.

**desbromilow** · Dec 23, 2020, 05:52 PM

Fireys wear gloves, and I always have a loose grip on things like that when they're being struck. The holder of the Halligan bar only needs to stop it twisting against the chain, not supply any downward or upward force.
The training videos (and promotional videos) for forced entry are actually quite interesting, and I've learned a lot from reverse engineering the tools and methods they showcase.