An unusual key to share (Fichet)

[SnowyBoy]

My mum found this key in a box and thought I might like it for my collection..... I was instantly interested in it & really wished I had the lock it went with, but just having the key is still nice.

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/4466/fichetkeyua7.jpg

It is imprinted with 'Fichet', and after a quick google search it seems Fichet manufacture keys/locks on the same principles.

Anyway, there it is, thought it would be nice to share

[SnowyBoy]

I forgot to say that i'm pretty sure some Fichet material is for the advanced section as they seem to be common with safes/vaults/deposit boxes, so please take this into consideration before posting any material relating to these locks.

[raimundo]

Some fichet are HS others may not be, its not classed by manufacture, its by the particular model # though fichet may be all high security, I don't know for sure. Some medeco thumbturn deadbolts are no longer in that class since MWT showed that video of the bypass, I'd like to walk into a locksmiths and find the display lock and try that one. Maybe I will soon, I know a guy whos shop I sometimes go to that has one.

[mh]

a bit similar to this one: http://protectvol.online.fr/fichetronde.html
That website ( http://protectvol.online.fr/ ) has many more interesting French locks

Cheers,
mh

[SnowyBoy]

Some fichet are HS others may not be, its not classed by manufacture, its by the particular model # though fichet may be all high security, I don't know for sure. Some medeco thumbturn deadbolts are no longer in that class since MWT showed that video of the bypass, I'd like to walk into a locksmiths and find the display lock and try that one. Maybe I will soon, I know a guy whos shop I sometimes go to that has one.

Better to be safe than sorry

Any links to the video at all?

a bit similar to this one: http://protectvol.online.fr/fichetronde.html
That website ( http://protectvol.online.fr/ ) has many more interesting French locks

Cheers,
mh

Lovely locks I think, very ornate in their mechanical workings. Thanks for the link

[Legion303]

NS Fichet axial lever lock? I only sound like I know what I'm talking about because I looked it up in greyman's encyclopedia. :P

-steve

[zeke79]

I don't think it is the NS, 787 etc as the key does not appear to have the leading edge of the bitting chamfered as does the NS and 787. This is done to allow the key to easily open the shutter mechanisms used by fichet. As said, this key does not appear to have any of these features. The key also lacks some of the other features found on the NS, 787 keys.

[mh]

looking at the protectvol site (with my limited French...) it seems that
Messieurs NOEL & SCAILQUIN made several versions of "NS" locks.

Cheers,
mh

[greyman]

That is a nice key. I'm sorry - I can't help you identify it apart from saying it is not NS Fichet. But it is from a "pompe" type lock. There are some French guys on this site who may be able to help. My Silca 201 catalogue has blanks FT7 - FT10 for this lock, but that does not tell me what the original model was. My guess would be a 7 or maybe 9? lever push-type lock in the same style as the NS but possibly predating it. Could be late 19th century? Come to think of it, it's a lot like the Mottura pump type lock. You might like to ask on Paul Prescott's site also (antique-locks.com)

Love that plug, Zeke

[SnowyBoy]

That is a nice key. I'm sorry - I can't help you identify it apart from saying it is not NS Fichet. But it is from a "pompe" type lock. There are some French guys on this site who may be able to help. My Silca 201 catalogue has blanks FT7 - FT10 for this lock, but that does not tell me what the original model was. My guess would be a 7 or maybe 9? lever push-type lock in the same style as the NS but possibly predating it. Could be late 19th century? Come to think of it, it's a lot like the Mottura pump type lock. You might like to ask on Paul Prescott's site also (antique-locks.com)

Love that plug, Zeke

Thanks for giving me some info to google with.... its hard knowing where to start without a few clues first!

The key, I have since found out was found in a box which came from one of my mums houses in France. These houses are sometimes 100's of years old & there's always something nice to find! I would bet money that the lock this fits is somewhere still on the house.... its a shame we sold it though

I think i might have a little excursion round France collecting old locks from the rural villages, I'm sure if i offer a brand new lock to replace the one I want to buy it might pursuade them

Thanks Greyman

[SnowyBoy]

I found this just now! I'm on the right track

[Fredmad]

This Fichet lock is called "Fichet rateau". This kind of lock was usually used on door. This lock is the descent lock of the famous NS pump.
The fichet rateau works in the "same way" than the NS or another lock called the Muel.
I tried to find some picture on the web but i don't find anything.
I have got a Fichet book (for the 100 aniversary) at home and if you want can send you the pictures of this book.
Best regards

[SnowyBoy]

Yes that would be nice, But I think when i posted a link in my last post to some locks it has been removed?!

It is best to check if it is allowed first.

Thank you

[greyman]

This Fichet lock is called "Fichet rateau". This kind of lock was usually used on door. This lock is the descent lock of the famous NS pump.
The fichet rateau works in the "same way" than the NS or another lock called the Muel.
I tried to find some picture on the web but i don't find anything.
I have got a Fichet book (for the 100 aniversary) at home and if you want can send you the pictures of this book.
Best regards

Thanks for the info Fredmad. "Rateau" just means "rake" - is that really the model name of the lock - or it is just a common name that people use, like a "dimple key lock"? Is this key in the Fichet anniversary book? I would be interested to know what page it's on if you can find out.

greyman

[SnowyBoy]

This Fichet lock is called "Fichet rateau". This kind of lock was usually used on door. This lock is the descent lock of the famous NS pump.
The fichet rateau works in the "same way" than the NS or another lock called the Muel.
I tried to find some picture on the web but i don't find anything.
I have got a Fichet book (for the 100 aniversary) at home and if you want can send you the pictures of this book.
Best regards

Thanks for the info Fredmad. "Rateau" just means "rake" - is that really the model name of the lock - or it is just a common name that people use, like a "dimple key lock"? Is this key in the Fichet anniversary book? I would be interested to know what page it's on if you can find out.

greyman

You're more than welcome to borrow the key if you want to have a good look at it & perhaps make a copy. Just let me know & I'll send it out to you.