19th Cen French Locksmith Tools

[MrAnybody]

I got my hands on something you don't see so often. I've just landed myself a good set of 19th century tryout keys / overlifters that French locksmiths would have used back in the day. These locks can still be found in old French houses even on internal doors. Nearly 2Kg of steel here, and possible while being 100 years older than me, will also out last me by another 100 years.

How they came to me with a little surface rust.



Spend a couple of hours giving them some TLC to bring them back to orignal condition.








There's a nice few of them for post lever locks. Some of those are a bit bent, but I reckon they's still be 100% working. I'll look into if I can get them straightend without damage, but I'm more inclined to leave them as they are. Nice groove on them to fit around the lock post.




The most unusual one is this:



Love the work on it, but I have no idea on its use. Bloody heavy. If anyone has some ideas on this, I'd appreciate it.

Then there's another I'm unsure of use.



Sooooo happy I snagged these. I've had my eyes on a set or 2 when they pop up, but I think this is the best one I've seen in ages.

[Squelchtone]

Wow, those are beautiful! What a wonderful addition to your collection! They cleaned up very nicely too!

Are there any locks around that you could try these tools on?

Thank you for sharing and good to see you on the forum!
Squelchtone

[zeke79]

Are the tryout keys with "CB" stamped on them and older set of Chris Belchers?

[MrAnybody]

Wow, those are beautiful! What a wonderful addition to your collection! They cleaned up very nicely too!

Are there any locks around that you could try these tools on?

Thank you for sharing and good to see you on the forum!
Squelchtone

Yep, always a few of these locks around eBay.fr. I don't have any around right now, but a friend has a building full of them in doors. Just don't want to go round to his place and wreak anything

Are the tryout keys with "CB" stamped on them and older set of Chris Belchers?

I'd imagine these where made probably before even Chris Belchers parents were born Would love to know what it's there for though. Also noticed that those 3 have 'Paris' stamped on the other side of the bow.

[Evan]

The two unusual ones might be used to manipulate doors which have been deadlocked from the inside by means of a key remaining in the lock.

The round one with what looks like teeth on the end of it could allow you to maneuver a key by touching it to the tip of a bit key inside the lock.

~~ Evan

[stratmando]

Very Nice Old Tools, Do you know of anyone who sells these, I am working on 2 Locks, and these Look like the Key to opening opening them. Thanks
I Am sure you would not sell these, I wouldn't. Would pay 100, but am sure they are priceless to you. I have no Idea what they are worth, You have any Idea?
Do you know of any Suppliers that carry Barrel Picks? or picks like these?
Thanks, Take Care

[MrAnybody]

Very Nice Old Tools, Do you know of anyone who sells these, I am working on 2 Locks, and these Look like the Key to opening opening them. Thanks
I Am sure you would not sell these, I wouldn't. Would pay 100, but am sure they are priceless to you. I have no Idea what they are worth, You have any Idea?
Do you know of any Suppliers that carry Barrel Picks? or picks like these?
Thanks, Take Care

The only place I've seen tool sets like this is on eBay.fr. Sets in the condition and size like the one I have seem to go for around 60 to 120 euros. I've seen sets go for more too.

I've not seen suppliers with barrels picks. I have seen sets of tryout keys, but unless you're after a set for generic, they can get expensive when they get brand specific.

[billdeserthills]

Very Nice Old Tools, Do you know of anyone who sells these, I am working on 2 Locks, and these Look like the Key to opening opening them. Thanks
I Am sure you would not sell these, I wouldn't. Would pay 100, but am sure they are priceless to you. I have no Idea what they are worth, You have any Idea?
Do you know of any Suppliers that carry Barrel Picks? or picks like these?
Thanks, Take Care

Mark Bates sells some two & three lever tools

[stratmando]

Set Up with MBA Now, had gotten in both locks, Emergency is Off, Did Want to mention there is a set of Picks very similar to Yours, $215 no bids, $10 Shipping, Hopefully you can get a look at is as it has 34, You will see what you need, if 34 is whats needed.
Ebay Item#171735845800, Speaking of the 18th Century Picks, Take Care, Good Luck. I have no tie or connection with those keys? Later

[MrAnybody]

Set Up with MBA Now, had gotten in both locks, Emergency is Off, Did Want to mention there is a set of Picks very similar to Yours, $215 no bids, $10 Shipping, Hopefully you can get a look at is as it has 34, You will see what you need, if 34 is whats needed.
Ebay Item#171735845800, Speaking of the 18th Century Picks, Take Care, Good Luck. I have no tie or connection with those keys? Later

Yep, thanks. I have them on my Watch, but the price is high compared with what I've seen in the past.

[YouLuckyFox]

The two unusual ones might be used to manipulate doors which have been deadlocked from the inside by means of a key remaining in the lock.

The round one with what looks like teeth on the end of it could allow you to maneuver a key by touching it to the tip of a bit key inside the lock.

~~ Evan

That's what I was thinking, in "30 Years a Detective" Alan Pinkerton calls these "nippers." They don't look exactly like the diagram in the book but they do look similar.

[rphillips52]

The first unusual one might be for attempting to jiggle the copy bramah-type locks which were quite commonly found in Europe, especially France.