Homage to a Pollux

[MrAnybody]

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:

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To gut, the retaining screw needs to be removed:

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Key pins on the bottom. All with different bittings:

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Beautifully made indents for the springs:

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

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Ready to reassemble:

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Inserting the plug assembly through the rear of the housing:

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Enjoy, Enjoy ..

[magician59]

Hi Mr. Anybody!

Yes that is a sexy lock.

[elbowmacaroni]

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

[ARF-GEF]

Thanks for the pics MrA

[escher7]

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

[fgarci03]

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

[MrAnybody]

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.

[mastersmith]

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

[ARF-GEF]

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

[MrAnybody]

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.

[Oldfast]

...."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!

[xeo]

Killer looking lock, pick on it?

Is that a piece of candy?

[keymaster1053]

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

[fgarci03]

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
It's a beautifull piec indeed!

Thanks for sharing!

[mrbinky]

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