History of Safes
Old safes, and the stories behind them
Hi, I’m Greg. This is my hobby blog about safes, vaults and the people who made them (and the ones who tried to break in). I go through old patents, trade catalogues and newspapers so you don’t have to, and every article lists its sources.
For owners
Found an old safe?
Most people arrive here with the same few questions. Pick yours.
Who made it?
Type a word from the plate, answer three questions.
How old is it?
A sourced date range from the plate, lock and body.
How heavy is it?
Weight from its outside size, before anyone lifts it.
Is it worth anything?
Real prices, and what makes one worth more.
I’m locked out
Options, rough costs and who to call.
How do I move it?
Moving, selling or getting rid of an old safe.
Not sure where to start? Read I have an old safe: what now?
From the blog
Latest stories
The Lufthansa Heist: The JFK Cargo Vault and What Failed
At about 3 a.m. on 11 December 1978, six masked gunmen took $5 million in cash and about $1 million in jewellery…
The World’s Strangest Vaults: Nine Real Vaults and What’s Inside Them
The strangest vaults in the world don’t hold gold. They hold a soft drink recipe, a million and a half seed samples,…
Safe Deposit Box Keys: How to Identify a Found Key and Find the Box
A safe deposit box key is a flat key, often with a maker’s name and a number stamped on the bow. The…
How Bank Vaults Work: Walls, Doors, Ratings and History
A bank vault is a room, not a box: walls of steel-reinforced concrete, a rated door with combination locks and a time…
Forgot Your Padlock Combination? How to Get Your Own Lock Open
Forgot the combination to your own padlock? Ask the maker first: Master Lock can look up the code of a padlock with…
How to Open a Combination Lock: Dial, Locker and Number Locks
To open a dial combination lock, turn the dial right three full turns and stop on the first number, turn left one…
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Browse by topic
Safe makers
What does the plate say?
Most owners only know the name cast on the door. Pick it to read the maker’s story and how to date their safes.
British makers
Chubb · Milner · John Tann · Ratner · Chatwood · Hobbs Hart · Samuel Withers · Price
American makers
Mosler · Diebold · Herring-Hall-Marvin · Hall’s · Victor · Cary · Hamilton · Meilink · York · Detroit · Schwab · Remington Rand
Elsewhere
Fichet-Bauche (France) · J&J Taylor (Canada) · Australian makers
See all old safe brands, A to Z, or try the maker finder. Name not on the list? Send me a photo of the plate.
Thanks for stopping by
Can’t place your safe? Send a few photos of the plate, the lock and the inside of the door. It’s free, and you get an answer by email. Or try the maker finder first.