Hi Brian,
Thank you so much for your replies. I agree with you that lock collecting is subjective. I am personally most interested in Continental European locks as I find the manufacturer’s approach to lock design to be facinating. My interest was first awakened as I was being shown the internal workings of a Fichet safe lock at their UK distribution centre during the 1980’s. Up to then I had only really seen locks that were made or widely used in my native country, the UK. The Fichet approach seemed so utterly different, which sparked my curiosity.
When I consider buying an antique lock, I am generally guided by how much it appeals to me, rather than if it is a recognised model that lock collectors tend to look out for. I like quirkiness of design, the likely history of the lock and items that make me go WOW! I know that is not the way many a collector goes about building their collection, but hopefully the locks I buy are different, fresh and interesting. I don’t want a collection just of boring old Chubb locks (eek… I’ll take some flack for that!).
With regard to keys for my French lock, I do not have originals, only modern keys that have been made to operate the lock, nothing more. If I am able to find how an original key actually looked I would like to replicate it.
I would like to look at the book you mention. Do you have the title and author or ISBN?
Thank-you once again.
