Corbin Russwin Cylinders and Cores: Part Numbers, CL6, LFIC and Keyways

The old cylinder is out of the door, or the lock title ends in CL6, and you need the right Corbin Russwin part. A cylinder number carries the length, cam, pins, keyway and finish, and the Corbin Russwin Key Systems catalog (PDF) explains each field.

How to read a Corbin Russwin cylinder number

The catalog's numbering overview splits a mortise cylinder number such as CR1000-118-A01-6-L4 into fields, with the finish added at the end:

Other type codes include CR13 thumbturn, CR14 dummy, CR20 knob or lever, CR30 rim and CR80 LFIC core only. Some of our titles leave out the CR prefix: 1000-114-A02-6-N15 630 is a 1-1/4 inch mortise cylinder with the straight cam, 6 pins, the N15 keyway and 630 satin stainless steel. Longer titles such as CR1000 118 A01 6 626 L4 0BIT KB10 2 end with keying details. The ML2000 catalog uses the quick code 0Bit for 0-bitted with 2 blank keys, the standard keying, and in key blank numbers 10 is the standard bow.

The catalog adds that cylinder plugs come in 606 or 626, except on BSP cylinders, while mortise and rim housings come in the finish ordered. Our finish codes chart pairs these numbers with the US codes.

Mortise cylinders: length, cam and collar

Conventional CR1000 mortise cylinders run from 1 inch, 5 pin only, to 3-3/4 inch. The standard length is 1-1/8 inch, and 7 pins are offered from 1-1/4 to 3 inch. Corbin Russwin measures length from behind the cylinder head to the end of the cam.

The cam page names the locks each cam is for. A selection:

• A01 cloverleaf: Corbin Russwin steel case mortise locks, except classroom and institutional privacy functions
• A02 straight: Corbin Russwin steel case mortise lock classroom (55), inside of vestibule (42) and institutional privacy (69) functions, and most exit device trims
• A03: DL3000 Series deadlocks, Adams Rite 1800 Series and 4015 deadlocks
• A04: DL4000 Series mortise deadlocks; A07: DL4100 Series deadbolts
• A06: Schlage L9000 Series (cloverleaf only)

For the conventional 6-pin cylinder of an ML2000 lock, the ML2000 Series catalog is more specific. It lists CR1000-118-A02 for functions 52, 53, 55, 56, 58, 69 and the inside of 42, and CR1000-118-A01 for the other keyed functions and the outside of 42. The hotel function has its own cylinder, CR1001-114-A01. For collars it refers to the ML2000 parts manual; the Key Systems catalog marks the 253F97 spring collar as standard for 1-1/8 inch cylinders and 605F43 for 1-1/4 inch.

Rim and key-in-lever cylinders

CR3000 rim cylinders, for exit devices and exit device trim, have no cam and give a tailpiece length instead, such as 200 (2 inch, standard door), 200V (vertical tailpiece) or 312 (3-1/2 inch, thick door). So 3000-200-6-99 630 is a rim cylinder with a 2 inch tailpiece, 6 pins, the 99 keyway and satin stainless steel.

Key-in-lever cylinders for Corbin Russwin cylindrical locks are component cylinders. A CR2000 number adds a code for the lock series, for example 033 for CL3300, CL3500, CL3800 and CL3600 (June 2000 and after) lever trim, 039 for CL3900, 038 for the obsolete 1993-1997 CL3800. A 7-pin version adds -7, as in 2000-033-7-57A1 626.

Corbin Russwin LFIC cores, housings and the CL6 code

Interchangeable core cylinders change the mechanism digit. The 8 in CR1080 stands for a complete IC cylinder (LFIC), the 7 in CR1070 for an LFIC housing only, no core. IC mortise lengths start at 1-1/4 inch. The core alone is CR8000 (6-pin) or CR8000-7 (7-pin), ordered by keyset, pins, keyway and finish, as in the catalog example AA1 CR8000 7 L4 626.

Removing or installing a core takes only the control key. Each core comes with two nickel silver change keys as standard; control keys come only when ordered. The catalog ranks a control key with a top level master key and says to limit their number to the minimum required.

CL6 at the end of a lock title, as in ML2051 NSA 630 CL6, is a cylinder quick code. The ML2000 and CL3800 Series catalogs list CL6 as LFIC 6-pin less core, CL7 as the 7-pin version and C6 as LFIC 6-pin. A CL6 lock comes without a core. Our SFIC vs LFIC guide explains how the large format differs from the small one.

Construction cores and construction keys

Conventional cylinders can be ordered with construction master keying (CMK). A construction master key operates the cylinders while the building is under construction, and turning the change key in each cylinder voids it. CMK is not available for interchangeable core, Pyramid or Security cylinders. IC jobs that need construction keying can use temporary construction cores in red, blue or green (quick codes CT6R, CT6B and CT6G for 6-pin), keyed alike to a combination unrelated to the permanent master key; disposable cores (CT6D, CT7D) need no keys. Permanent cores are ordered separately.

Keyways, bitting classes and key systems

Keyways come in series. Multiplex keyways can be used together to expand a keying system: the L Series has four keyways, L1 to L4, plus L12 and L34 multi-section keys and the L41 key, which passes cylinders in all four. The D Series is the reverse of the L Series, and the 59 Series runs from 59A1 to 59D2 plus 60. Simplex keyways such as 97 and 99 stand alone and cannot be tied into another keyway.

Each group has a bitting class, for example Z Class for the L and 59 Series, DH for the D Series, X for the 57 Series and for the simplex keyways 97, 99, AR, AL, BR and BL. Keys cut in the field to the wrong specifications will not operate with factory cylinders. Key blank numbers give section, pins, bow and marking: L4-6PIN-10 is a 6-pin L4 blank with the standard bow and coined logo. Our key blank guide covers keyways and Ilco numbers.

The catalog does not show the profiles of the restricted and protected series (62, HO, 93, 39, F, J). Inactive keyways, Pyramid and Security cylinders serve existing systems only.

Browse all Corbin Russwin products, mortise cylinders, rim cylinders and interchangeable cores and housings. For other makers, see our Schlage cylinder guide and GMS cylinder guide.

Not sure which Corbin Russwin cylinder or core you have? Our customer support team is available Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM Central Time, at 1-888-800-7789 or [email protected].