19th Century French Metallic Black Painted Iron ‘Fichet’ Fire Safe

$4,900

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This antique iron safe was crafted in France, circa 1870. The substantial piece signed “Fichet” has been completely repainted with a black glossy, metallic paint. The door opens to reveal two inside shelves for storage. The important lock has an intricate three-lock mechanism which has been cleaned and polished. The secure safe is in excellent condition with a beautiful finish throughout. Key included. The Fichet company is a notable company in the world of safe engineering. Born February 7, 1799 in Etrepilly, France, Alexandre Fichet opened a locksmiths in Paris in 1825. At the age of 26. He registered his first patent in 1829 for a safety lock and further patents followed in 1834 and 1836. Shortly after, Fichet set up a small workshop in Paris and began expanding into the manufacture of safes. In 1840, he made his first modern fire safe made entirely of steel and using his now renowned Fichet lock and key. As production outgrew the workshop, Fichet built a factory in Monceau in Paris, followed by a second and third in Lyon and Marseille. Fichet died in 1862 at the age of 63 and the business changed hands frequently from Louis and Apolline Bonnet, to Monsieur Charlier, manager of the workshops, and then to businessmen, Monsieur Guénot and Monsieur Pinot. In 1879, the Fichet company built its first bank vault room with rentable safe deposit lockers. New factories were opened one after the other, most notably in Oust-Marest in the Somme region where security locks were manufactured. This factory was supported by the nearby “Fichet Village” and by a factory in Creil which made bank safes. Measures: 25.75″ W x 14.75″ D x 32.5″ H.

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