Thread: Does anyone know anything about this fancy rim lock?

Any pictures of the key would help to identify the lock.

Brian ........................................
*******************************************

The lock is clearly French. The value will be more as an architectural peice than as a lock collectors item.

Thanks for your replies.

The lock is indeed French. I've have researched the markings on the lock with some success. "BTC SGDG" translates to "Patented SGDG".

"Patented SGDG", short for no government guarantee, was in France a legal notice releasing the State from any responsibility for the effective functioning of the device patented . This statement was prepared by the law of 1844 which states that patents are issued "without prior consideration, at the risk of applicants, and is no guarantee of the reality, novelty or merits of the invention or fidelity or accuracy of the description. This law was withdrawn in 1949.

I have had no success yet tracing the manufacturer or T.F. symbol but will continue to research. If anyone else has information regarding this lock I would love to hear from you.

Greetings:

Collecting is a subjective decision, whether or not
a person claims to have the knowledge to make an
absolute interpretation for all of us about who would
find it valuable ? We all have the freedom to make
our own choice about what value to place on each
distinctive locking device or key. Plainly some hardware
is most valuable to others for private reasons. Those
same pieces are of no value to me, and vice aversa.

The surface mounted lock you have pictured is
a magnificent example of what can be produced by
skilled technicians, Locksmiths and Designers. In terms
of artistic style it appears to be of the Art Noveau
period.

The reason for asking about the key is that
the type of stylization offers a clue to dating the lock.
Most likely the patterns used on the key may be
similar to those shown on other lock hardware
of the same time period. Additionaly the acquired wear
patterns on the key tends to reveal information about
how the lock was mounted and used.

There is an antique booklet, entirely in French, I found at
the local University full of definitions and line drawings
explaining French hardware. It may reveal some futher
information about your lock?

Brian ..........................................
*****************************************

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.

Hi LockSafe:

Hey, great minds think alike, I collect the most fascinating locks (to me anyways) and keys also. Some are workhorse styles, and others are quite exquisite and made for a specific individual. The small collection is chosen out of personal interest, and I could never hope to compete with some of the heavy duty collectors out there. Although after teaching a Nightschool course about antique locks and keys, several leads were produced to sources for locks and keys. Also some of the Architects who took the course gave me samples from Site Restorations they worked on. One keyhole plate
about the same thickness of a flexible cardboard book cover is so strong that it can't
be bent with hand strength.

I have to look up the booklet in my file cabinent, it is from YORK University.
It was misfiled in the book stacks and I found it by shear chance while
looking for another book. YORK has a few French language books in the stacks.
Right now I am working on a Locksmith article due in a couple of days. So I can
send the information then if not sooner.

The G-20 protest is causing alot of noise in Toronto , and some of the demonstrators
were outside my building late last night making it difficult to work.

Brian .................................................. .
************************************************** ***********