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Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2013 9:38 am**

While this is not an old lock, it may be unusual to some folk, but saying that, I just wanna share this with you guys as I'm a real fan of French locks.

I acquired a gorgeous Pollux cylinder a few days back, and I decided to have a play and gut this beautiful little puppy.

Some French locks just get me all gooey with admiration, and personally ... yes I can stand with my hand on my heart and say, "Hello, I'm MrAnybody, and I'm a brass addict".

Tip: Press 'CTRL' and click the images for a nice juicy full view of an image.

After removing the latch housing I had 2 cylinders:

IMG_7996.JPG

To gut, the retaining screw needs to be removed:

IMG_7997.JPG

Key pins on the bottom. All with different bittings:

IMG_8001.JPG

Beautifully made indents for the springs:

IMG_8002.JPG

IMG_8003.JPG

IMG_8004.JPG

IMG_8005.JPG

Here's the keys pins in place with key inserted to show the shearline clear:

IMG_8007.JPG

Ready to reassemble:

IMG_8008.JPG

IMG_8009.JPG

Inserting the plug assembly through the rear of the housing:

IMG_8011.JPG

Enjoy, Enjoy ..

Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2013 9:43 am**

Hi Mr. Anybody!

Yes that is a sexy lock.

Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2013 9:45 am**

Dude! That is one nifty lookin lock! Are those common over there?

Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2013 10:03 am**

Thanks for the pics MrA

Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2013 10:41 am**

Nice of you to rest its little head on that tiny pink pillow.

Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2013 10:59 am**

Those locks look beautifull.
From what I see, I believe they behave like tubular locks right? You find a weird difficult way to tension them and work the pins untill it pops. And they lock again each time you rotate a little. Is that right?

Would be a nice add to my collection :mrgreen:

Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2013 11:37 am**

fgarci03 wrote:Those locks look beautifull.
From what I see, I believe they behave like tubular locks right? You find a weird difficult way to tension them and work the pins untill it pops. And they lock again each time you rotate a little. Is that right?

Would be a nice add to my collection

Yep, that's exactly it, my friend. The principle is no different from tubular locks, and are picked in the same way with the same obstacles.

However, apart from the Pollux being way, way more sexy than any regular tubular (IMO), and the engineering done in way that makes a tube look like a toy, I don't think I've met a tubular that has such a variety of pins. It's just total sexy brass. :cool:

Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2013 11:46 am**

Beautiful pics, Mr.A! Very well documented internals.

Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2013 12:32 pm**

I really like the little white heart at the title of the topic. Very fitting for these loveable little locks

Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2013 12:55 pm**

elbowmacaroni wrote:Dude! That is one nifty lookin lock! Are those common over there?

I always enjoy a wander around old French neighborhoods, and this is where I've usually seen examples of these locks. I find more in ornate solid wood front doors than anywhere else. Pollux have made other designs that have superseded the model I've shown here, but my wallet hasn't yet stretched to have an example in my hands. They are a unique design and quality of lock that just leave me drooling.

VAK and Picard Vigie are other totally cool French locks, along with the little more well-known Fichet. I'm always on the hunt for any of these, but it's not easy getting them at a doable price.

Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2013 1:39 pm**

MrAnybody wrote:...."I'm MrAnybody, and I'm a brass addict".....

A shameless admission...lol... I suppose I might as well jump on the wagon.

I'm Mike, and I too, am.................. a brass addict.

BEAUTIFUL breakdown and pics! Thanks for the great work!

Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2013 1:40 pm**

Killer looking lock, pick on it?

Is that a piece of candy?

Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2013 3:35 pm**

Awesome Lock!! I think I have one of those keys in my key collection, but not the lock YET!!!

Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2013 5:07 pm**

MrAnybody wrote:
fgarci03 wrote:Those locks look beautifull.
From what I see, I believe they behave like tubular locks right? You find a weird difficult way to tension them and work the pins untill it pops. And they lock again each time you rotate a little. Is that right?

Would be a nice add to my collection

Yep, that's exactly it, my friend. The principle is no different from tubular locks, and are picked in the same way with the same obstacles.

However, apart from the Pollux being way, way more sexy than any regular tubular (IMO), and the engineering done in way that makes a tube look like a toy, I don't think I've met a tubular that has such a variety of pins. It's just total sexy brass.

Yeah they look to have nasty stuff in there :mrgreen:

It's a beautifull piec indeed!

Thanks for sharing!

Posted: **Fri Jun 21, 2013 9:03 pm**

super sexy... I want one.... or maybe two! great picture m8

.:: Keypicking :: Anything And Everything For Locksmiths, Hobbyist Lock Pickers, Locksport, Lock Picking, lockpicks, cutaways and Security. Simply The Best Lockpicking Forum Around!

Homage to a Pollux

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