Fichet 480 Breakdown Photos

[n2oah]

I got a Fichet 480 mortise cylinder in the mail today. This is a unique lock, which uses 8 (4 per side) pivoting wafers controlled by a dual sidebars. I got this lock with 3 keys for $40, but one of the keys doesn't work, and the keycard is shattered I might have to send this lock back to the seller, so I figured I'd at least take some photos in the case that I do have to send it back.











A wafer assembly:








First person who figures how you can get the wafers out wins the prize

[TOWCH]

Punch out the two center rods?

[n2oah]

Yay, you win the prize. It took me a minute or two to figure out how to get the wafers loose.

[eric343]

Nice photos. That's the first time I've really understood how the "H" lock works.

[mh]

Great photos! An interesting lock design, too. Pivoting wafers with false gates, and balls to reduce wear & tear...

But why does the 3rd key not work? Simply a key for another lock, or worn down?

[n2oah]

The third key doesn't put all of the wafers into position. It puts only 3 out of 8 wafers into the proper position.

[raimundo]

I remember Jimmie, one of our french members said that this lock was now obsolete since the burglars found a way to use force to easily and quickly break through it. He did not tell me specifics, but the lock is not made any more. they are one of the more interesting designs.

[raimundo]

Maybe that third key is some kind of control key?

[n2oah]

I recall hearing something similar to the statement that this lock is obsolete because of a flaw. I would definetly like to get more details on that.

[mh]

Is the lock protected well against drilling & removing the sidebars?

[greyman]

I don't think it compromises security too much to say this since the F484 is obsolete now. It was susceptible to forcing with a hardened blank (it was Jimmie who told me this). That is why it is not made anymore. It was a very popular lock in its time and you can still see a few of them in use in Paris. Your local French embassy might even still have them on the door. I have not seen any reinforcing or drill protection on the F484 locks I have seen.

It was replaced by the F787 which is now the model of choice for residential applications.

Thanks to the original poster for the nice pictures. It is a very impressive lock.

[toutsurlaserrurerie]

Hello,
Vous trouverez sur mon site le schéma technique de fonctionnement
http://protections-vol.com/484.html
Effectivement ce cylindre peut être ouvert en quelques secondes avec effraction par une clef de force, et avec des vagues ou avec l'outil de Falle sans effraction.
Il est encore sur de nombreuses portes à Paris.
Fred

[Shrub]

It looks very simular to how a ingersol works.

toutsurlaserrurerie, sorry i dont read french and translators dont have lockpcking specifics in them so i dont tend to bother. It is also against forum rules to have a link in your sig line, put it on to your www icon in your profile.

[taylorgdl]

Its a nice exploded view in the link.

[greyman]

Hello,
Vous trouverez sur mon site le schéma technique de fonctionnement
http://protections-vol.com/484.html
Effectivement ce cylindre peut être ouvert en quelques secondes avec effraction par une clef de force, et avec des vagues ou avec l'outil de Falle sans effraction.
Il est encore sur de nombreuses portes à Paris.
Fred

OK, I can help here:

You will find on my website a detailed diagram [of the lock]. This cylinder can in fact be opened in a few seconds destructively using a forcing key, and non-destructively using wave (keys) or the Falle tool.
It is still used on numerous doors in Paris.