Some new fun from Portugal

[GWiens2001]

Thanks to my new friend, fgarci03, I have some new locks to play with!

4 cruciform locks (2 than I will impression keys for before they are put into my collection), a Sofer with split key/keyways, and a cheap lever lock to play with. Oh, happy me!



This one is my favorite for being unusual:

[img]http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o525/GWiens2001/from%20Portugal/2B0FE50A-BF51-4CE7-A9E0-A392DFBF6570-4881-00000C55D8AEB55A_zpseb224eea.jpg[/img

I love trades!

Gordon

[phrygianradar]

Sweeeeet! Can't get those at the local Home Depot...

[LockDocWa]

Like the look of the Sofer with split key.
What kind of lock is it? Rim,Mortise or other??

[vinnie]

I feel like I've asked this before about similar locks, but what does one use those sorts of locks for?? I've never seen them in use before. I'm assuming a strictly European thing?

[GWiens2001]

The Sofer lock is very similar to a rim cylinder. The smaller cruciform locks are for windows, the other two cruciform locks are for locking doors, and the cheap lever padlocks are used for nipple-rings.

The cruciform locks are commonly used in Portugal and Brazil. I also hear that Mozambique and Angola use them as well, but not having been there, I can not be sure. If anybody knows more, please let me know! These countries also share the Portugese language, and were Portugese colonies at one time.

And yes, there are not at the Home Depot. But have you tried looking at Lowe's?

Gordon

P.S. For those in other countries, Home Depot and Lowe's are large hardware store chains.

[GWiens2001]

Oh, saw the bad link above.

The Sofer lock, picked with Raimundo's Bogata pick.



Gordon

[fgarci03]

I feel like I've asked this before about similar locks, but what does one use those sorts of locks for?? I've never seen them in use before. I'm assuming a strictly European thing?

Don't know if its a strictly european thing, but it's uncommon even here in Portugal. I've only seen a couple of those in my life. And they use to be very old.

I was told that it was used some time ago, but the lack of locksmiths who could copy those keys was a barrier to get these locks, so they stoped being used. Can't confirma that though.


As for the remaning info, Gordon nailed it

[Falc0n]

those locks looks awesome!
Looking forward to seeing them picked

[FrenchKey]

Hey, very nice locks !!

Thanks for sharing

[ARF-GEF]

I don't think it's strictly European either. I haven't seen them ever in use.

[zeepia]

Gordon, your wife will be very upset on you. When you tell her that you need to build your house one room bigger just to storage all your locks

That Sofer looks quite unique!

[GWiens2001]

Hey Zeepia, I did trades for these!

Gordon

[fgarci03]

These countries also share the Portugese language, and were Portugese colonies at one time.

Yes, we were great at some point of world history.
Now... Well now it's just me who is great!

I found a seller who has these kind of Sofer locks. I'm trying to contact him to see if they are cheap so I can get a few more. Will let you know if I can, if anyone wants a trade!

and the cheap lever padlocks are used for nipple-rings.

The nipple is a bit small to fit that shackle! I can, of course, think of another place that could hold such a thing. And depending on what you are doing, it could be lower or higher.. It's in the........









.......... the ear of course!

[fgarci03]

Ok, so I went to the store to check of the Sofer locks. They're quite expensive (40+€), so it's a bit phorhibitive.
But, coincidence, the person who attended me is also a lockpicker!

We talked a bit, and I noticed he subscribed the forum during the day!

Finally I have someone close to where I live with the same "weird" hobbie