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
What Is a SCIF? Secure Rooms and the Safes Inside Them
A SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) is an accredited room or building where the US government handles its most sensitive intelligence. It’s…
Best Pistol Safes: Bedside, Biometric and No-Battery Picks, and How They’ve Failed
A pistol safe has one job: open for you and for nobody else, least of all a child. Here’s how to choose…
How to Change a Key Safe Code: Step by Step for Each Model
To change a key safe code, open it with the current code and reset it from inside: setting dials on the back…
Best Fireproof Safe for Documents: Picks by Use, Ratings Explained
The best fireproof safe for documents is the one whose label matches what you keep in it. Here’s what the ratings mean…
The Brink’s-Mat Robbery: The Heathrow Vault, the Gold and Where It Went
Early on 26 November 1983 six armed men walked into a security warehouse at Heathrow and drove away with three tonnes of…
Famous Safes: Ten (or So) Safes With a Story
A gilded cage for the Koh-i-Noor, a cashier’s bluff in Minnesota, a whiskey maker’s broken toe and a live TV special that…
Explore
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.