The MrAnybody Collection

[GWiens2001]

Does this VAK lock work in a similar way to the Fichet 787 in which the levers have teeth on the back which rotate gears to line up gates for a sidebar? (BTW - I am looking for a used 787, if you happen to come across one, MrA.)

Gordon

[MrAnybody]

Does this VAK lock work in a similar way to the Fichet 787 in which the levers have teeth on the back which rotate gears to line up gates for a sidebar? (BTW - I am looking for a used 787, if you happen to come across one, MrA.)

Gordon

That's something I'd love to find out myself, but I suspect not when I compare the back end of the VAK with pics I've seen of the back end of the 787. There's no teeth to be seen on the back end of the VAK, so I believe there's no rotation involved. While the 787 has circular levers (allowing for rotation on its teeth), the VAK has rectangular levers.

I've really gotta gut this puppy, and we can all see. I'll definitely get pics of this done ASAP.

I'm also on the hunt for a 787 You can see a 780 in my collection, but that's a different mechanism (the 'H' keyway'). I'm seeing more and more that we are on a similar wave-length when it comes to these French puppies, Gordon . If you're into it, I look forward to any collaboration or swaps we can put together for each other. That would be very cool.

[GWiens2001]

I'm also on the hunt for a 787 You can see a 780 in my collection, but that's a different mechanism (the 'H' keyway'). I'm seeing more and more that we are on a similar wave-length when it comes to these French puppies, Gordon . If you're into it, I look forward to any collaboration or swaps we can put together for each other. That would be very cool.

Would love to work together with you on rounding out our collections!

By the way, have not been able to find anything on identification of the 750/780/781/782/783 series Fichet. I hear that they can be identified by the key bows. Ever seen/can you identify this key bow? Thinking about making a photo listing of the different key bows, since LockWiki says it is by the key bows that you can identify which of the 'H' keyway series it is.



Gordon

[MrAnybody]

I'm also on the hunt for a 787 You can see a 780 in my collection, but that's a different mechanism (the 'H' keyway'). I'm seeing more and more that we are on a similar wave-length when it comes to these French puppies, Gordon . If you're into it, I look forward to any collaboration or swaps we can put together for each other. That would be very cool.

Would love to work together with you on rounding out our collections!

By the way, have not been able to find anything on identification of the 750/780/781/782/783 series Fichet. I hear that they can be identified by the key bows. Ever seen/can you identify this key bow? Thinking about making a photo listing of the different key bows, since LockWiki says it is by the key bows that you can identify which of the 'H' keyway series it is.



Gordon

Niccceee!

I think this would be the first edition of the 450 (~ 1949/1952). The later versions of the 450 I've seen have the characteristic triangular key bow, so the one you've got here is something I've not seen before. Certainly one to hold on to, Gordon. I'll see if i can find an elderly french locksmith I can ply with a Ricard I'm sure the older gents would have something to say on your keybow. If I find something definite, I'l be sure to let you know.

Tired eyes brought me to refer to mine as the 480 in my earlier post. That's incorrect. It's the 484.

Looking forward to working together, Gordon. By the way, I forgot to mention earlier that 787 jackpot would be the 787z rather that the 787s. The earlier 's' version is 8 gears rather than 10. Of course, the 's' is still a worthy addition, but best to highlight the distinction.

[GWiens2001]

Does that mean you like the protective cover, too?





Gordon

[IxViRuSxI]

Lock pr0ns for real.. I'm speechless.

[MrWizard]

Well looky there it is like a French lock condom.

[MrAnybody]

Many thanks for all your comments on the collection. Much appreciated, fellas. It's a pleasure to share.

Here's some recent additions to my luscious lock porn:

FTH Thirard Federal (4 telescopic pin in pin + 1 magnetic pin)
FTH Thirard Trafic 12: 12 pin dimple with the usual anti-everything.
FTH Thirard Nautic padlock: This is the marine variant with its solid brass shackle. Me being a brass addict ...... things like this give me nothing but pleeasssure . Keyway here ..... I think I could drive a bus down there

For those of you who have not partaken in the sensual pleasures of some flirtatious French brass, booty-licious brushed nickel or tres sexy shiny steel locks, may I, for a moment, throb your sensitivity with a spurt of information: 'FTH Thirard' is the market leader in France (Vachette is second probably), and they do a really wide range of products. You'll find them widely available in big name hardware chain stores here in France. They also have distributors around Europe and the Americas.

Their domestic products are split into three ranges: 'Classique', 'Confort' and 'Optimum'. The 'Classique' range being the cheapest and the 'Optimum' being the most expensive (and usually chained to the shelves, which may or may not appeal to some of you ). The 3 locks I've just added here are from the 'Optimum' range.

Here's my original post with link to the collection, or you can reach it from my sig ..... enjoy, enjoy .... it's a perfectly natural, healthy thing to do

There's more "coming" soon.

[GWiens2001]

Nice additions, MrAnybody.

That last one, have you tried picking it? It looks incredibly easy with that wide open keyway and nearly flat bitting.

Gordon

[MrAnybody]

Nice additions, MrAnybody.

That last one, have you tried picking it? It looks incredibly easy with that wide open keyway and nearly flat bitting.

Gordon

Sorry Gordon, I missed your question.

Yep, it was picked pretty quickly, but not as quick as I thought. I did think it was going to be a 10 minute max thing, until I worked out there's (what I feel as) 4 really nicely made serrated in there. I say "really nice" since they confused the shit out of me for a while.

[escher7]

Here is my $11 light box from Dhgate, a Chinese site. Price included shipping and different colour backgrounds. Lights are LED's from auto work lights, ($7 each). (Picture shows 1 light, but I use 3.) Yoda was shot without flash.

[MrAnybody]

I really gotta share this with you. I've been wanting to get a Fichet 787z for a long time now, and it's rare that they pop up with a price that's doable.

This is a very unusual push lock, and I look forward to gutting it and posting some pics along with a comparison on the VAK and Fichet 484 I have.

Check out this gorgeous key

The French Fichet 787z is the successor to the 787s, which is the successor to the Fichet 484.

The 787z has a mechanism of 10 levers and 10 toothed gears hidden by 2 spring loaded gates at the front of the cylinder. When the key is inserted the gears rotate to various degrees so the gear gatings are in the correct position. The cylinder can then rotate. With a possible 10 depth cuts on 10 gears, I think that works out at 10 billion combinations. Really cool. And supposedly unpickable.

Anyhow, not much I can say without pics. I'll gut this soon. I'm really looking forward to it. Around 50 different components in this puppy.

The rest of my collection can be seen from the link in my sig.

Enjoy .... enjoy

[rai]

Could a thick push probe be used to neutralize the strong spring in a position near the center of the pack where warding and other obstructions are less and then thinner probes used to manipulate the harder to get at levers?
I don't know this mechanism so im just guessing, but it seems that you might want to find a way to detente that strong spring.
im pictureing something like one of Laurens push keys for some antique locks.

all you locks look so new, are you getting them from ebay?

[MrAnybody]

Could a thick push probe be used to neutralize the strong spring in a position near the center of the pack where warding and other obstructions are less and then thinner probes used to manipulate the harder to get at levers?
I don't know this mechanism so im just guessing, but it seems that you might want to find a way to detente that strong spring.
im pictureing something like one of Laurens push keys for some antique locks.

all you locks look so new, are you getting them from ebay?

We can have a look at that when I've gutted this puppy. Let's see what can be done.

Thanks for the complement on the collection. I do get a lot of my locks from ebay, but I also get a fair portion of them through sale or trade mostly from guys here on KP. I have to admit to being a bit fussy as far as condition goes sometimes, and I've yet to go for a lock that doesn't include key. But that's just me. And if I can clean them up bit once I have them, I enjoy that bit.

For example, believe it or not, ketchup does wonders to brass.

[MrAnybody]

Some really tasty additions this week from edsmiley I wanna share with you ......nom, nom, nom. Trading with ed is a complete pleasure, and I look forward to doing it again some time.

So, settle back, and enjoy, enjoy:

Marks CX5 Mortise .... Shiny, shiny
Schlage Everest Primus LFIC
Corbin Master Ring - Mortise Cylinder
A couple of Kaba Peaks LFIC - this one and this one
Nabob - Dimple Mortise Cylinder Love this
7 pin Corbin Russwin - LFIC & Mortise Housing
American Barrel Padlock .... a peach for a brass addict like me Keyway here

That's about it for now. Oh, happy days

Here's my original post with link to the collection, or you can reach it from my sig ..... enjoy, enjoy .... nom, nom, nom, nom .....