Chubb key deposit box.

Paul Prescott

This type of box were supplied to banks where chubbs supplied & installed vaults etc, they are usually smaller & simpler than this example and were intended to hold the spare keys which could then be placed for safe keeping with another bank.

I have never seen the style of escutcheon elsewhere.

I doubt the box was ever used as the whole thing is in very good condition with all original keys / tags.

I have no history on the piece, but do hope to gain such information in the future from the serial numbers.

NKT

That is nice!

I like the subtle warding on the keys, to prevent the wrong key being turned. Touches like that are a sure sign of quality, even beyond the silver escutcheons!

Tom Gordon

The escutcheons (well the one that I have) is brass and smaller but heavier than might be expected by just looking. Given the application, I am not suprised that it just sat there untouched and so remains in very good condition with the tags intact even if it was in full use
Cheers
Tom

Paul Prescott

This one is made of ¼ " steel plate, any chance of pictures etc of yours ??

Tom Gordon

It is identical but brass
Cheers
Tom

Paul Prescott

Could you post the serial numbers ? Both the box and locks, for comparision to my example.

Tom Gordon

Aha I see why where we got our wires crossed -I only have the escutcheon - a brass box would have been fabulous!
Cheers
Tom

Ian D. Lewis

NKT wrote
That is nice!

I like the subtle warding on the keys, to prevent the wrong key being turned. Touches like that are a sure sign of quality, even beyond the silver escutcheons!

True but you can still turn the wrong key in one of the locks (the key with the sideward will turn in the lock without the sideward)

Ian

Paul Prescott

Ian D. Lewis wrote
NKT wrote
That is nice!

I like the subtle warding on the keys, to prevent the wrong key being turned. Touches like that are a sure sign of quality, even beyond the silver escutcheons!

True but you can still turn the wrong key in one of the locks (the key with the sideward will turn in the lock without the sideward)

Ian

No it will not, as the bit is slightly wider.

Billy B Edwards Jr. CML

Not to mention that the combinations of the two keys are different as well.

I found that item interesting because we never encounter that kind of thing in the US. As interesting to me was the discussion that followed because it raises a question in my mind. All mentioned the side ward and I certainly see the ward cut on the far end of the bit. The question I have is, could that not also have been a cut for an end ward? Or, are end wards only used in door locks and not cabinet locks? Or, does the post have to be flush with the end of the bit or shorter than the bit to indicate an end ward? Or, are end wards only used with drilled or pipe keys? Thanks in advance.
BBE.

Paul Prescott

Interesting question re the terminology. Ian’s comment is correct as far as I would know it and English terminology goes. The cut on the key is referred to as a ‘ Sash Ward ’ The actual ward in the lock could have a number of different names - depending on it’s construction. I did try and scan a page to add but my useless printer / scanner (being 2 months out of warranty) has decided to die so I’ll have to wait until I go into work to do the scan.

Billy B Edwards Jr. CML

My reference info says that the English term ‘sash ward’ equates to the American term ‘end ward’. I do not have a reference for ‘side ward’ but reading between the lines I think the American term is ‘case ward’. My primary source for the English term related to the American term was Clive Bowden and you can find all of them he supplied in the appendix of the US Locksmith Dictionary, (link attached). If I am correct, I will present ‘side ward’ for inclusion in the appendix also.

I am still curious about the application of ‘end ward/sash ward’ to the actual lock. Thanks,
BBE.

http://www.locksoft.com/appendix.htm