Next I will explore the backside of the door. I won’t go into the combination as there is plenty of information on the internet. I was lucky that this safe still had it’s original time lock from the Bankers Dustproof Time Lock Co. Bankers time locks are common on Victor cannonballs but are quite rare overall. Details on these time locks can be found at http://www.my-time-machines.net/. I would like to thank Mark for his assistance with my time lock. Here is how the back side of the door looked. In better overall shape as it was on the inside. There is a thick steel plate enclosing the rear of the door. The patent tag is mounted below the time lock. As mentioned earlier in this thread, this safe is thought to be a 1908 model as it has the earlier design fine threads on the door (1905-1908) but has the updated patent tag for the 1908 patent for the new course thread door. There are several safes that have been found with this quirk. The trim ring around the time lock is off in this picture. Also, note the piece of original carpet in the safe.
All parts on the rear of the door are nickel plated. The rear plate also has an engine turned design (also called jeweling, damascening) matching the front of the door. This process turns an ordinary flat piece of metal into an amazing 3 dimensional looking work of art.
To remove the time lock each time piece needs to be removed to access the 4 bolts underneath. There are a number of spacer washers and a rubber isolator to keep track of. Now the time lock linkage is exposed. Here it is in the locked position with a picture that will show you how the trigger button in the door threads works.
The time lock was not perfect. The latch for the door was missing for decades. Latches were a common issue with Bankers time locks. This allowed the door to flop around as the safe door rotated. With the safe open the time lock door can fall open and get pinched in the closing process, a crease in the door cover proves a careless person did just that. The doors are often missing so I won’t complain. Each clock in the time lock is mounted on a spring suspension system. This along with the rubber isolators provide shock protection to the clocks from door slamming, forced entry, or explosives.
With the help of Mark at http://www.my-time-machines.net/ I have a prototype latch made for the time lock door. Bankers time locks came in 3 and 4 clock versions and had doors with and without windows. Each style had a slightly different latch. I had a pleasant surprise while studying the latch opening on the door. Deep inside the opening I found that the latch return spring had somehow remained in it’s bore despite the door often flopping in the down position. Thank you time lock gods! Now with a picture of the correct latch from Mark I can make a latch equivalent to the original. This is the best picture I have. Being a window style door the latch is slightly different than mine.
What’s next? Here is a shiney hint…
