This Bauche safe came from Avignon “The City of Two Popes” in Southern France. It dates to around 1870. As the pictures show below, it was in a very rusted state when we acquired it.
We disassembled it completely, including the lock mechanism, and chemically removed the old paint (which was old, but not original). After wire brushing the interior, all the parts were submersed in a bath of liquid rust remover. We then painted the interior with a rust inhibitor primer and followed up with a satin black enamel.
We left the exterior plate steel bare (no paint) to keep it’s raw and rustic charm and sprayed the exterior with a clear satin. After some wire brushing to the cast parts and polishing to other parts, we reassembled everything and redid the interior.
The nameplate reads “INCOMBUSTIBLE SYSTEME BAUCHE BREVETE S.G.D.G. USINE A GUEUX.”
Bauche was known for it’s “incombustible” fire resistant safes. In 1967, they merged with Fichet to form Fichet-Bauche which still produces high-end safes today.
HI
I have got an incombustable system brevete s.g.d.g.usine a gueux.
But have not got the key or part of the lock, can i buy the complete lock?
How much would cost?
Are you interested in buying the save as it is?
Please let me know.
Thank you.
Making a key for the lock isn’t very hard if the safe is open – I doubt you will find a replacement lock. Your best bet would be to list your safe on ebay.
I have one off these safes in good condition
With original key and combination locks
Still with felt inside
What value do you think it is worth
It’s really hard to say because very few of them are here the US and they rarely come on the market. I’ve seen a few in fair to good condition sell in the $1,000 – $2,500 range. I saw one in excellent condition go for about double that at auction.
Bonjour
Je possèdes ce model de coffre. Par contre, un enfant a tourné les roulettes, je ne peux plus l’ouvrir. Auriez vous une solution. D’avance merci Jean Marie Malheuvre
There are a possible 729 letter combinations, but if you start with the left dial and place it on a letter, you should notice a different clicking sound when you rotate the dial on the right to the correct letter.
We have an INCOMBUSTIBLE SYSTEME BAUCHE BREVETE S.G.D.G. USINE A GUEUX with a key code but without a key. Dus any of you know a locksmit?
I don’t know of a specific locksmith, but I’ve made keys for these and have absolutely no locksmith experience. I would think any local locksmith could easily do it as long as the safe is open.