Common old Chubb safe?

anngibson

This safe was in our garage when we moved in seven years ago, had probably been there for the previous 25. It’s locked and we’re wondering what to do to open it - a key would be preferable, but none to be found. Should there be a number somewhere?
Pardon my ignorance, once more!
Ann

Alan Morgan

the handle should not be at that angle. Look for signs the metal has been twisted.
Is there any movement in the handle at all? Any movement in the door at all? Looks quite corroded.
Chubb opened Victoria Street in 1877, cannot remember immediately when it closed but very likely the safe was made before the end of that century.

Timbo

If the handle is twisted as Alan suggests it could be, then the whole mechanism may be jammed and seized. However, if no signs of metal stress or deforming is apparent, the door could be in the unlocked and open position. The door could then be seized shut with the corrosion holding it fast around the edges.
If this is the case, you could try some penetrating fluid around the door aperture and leave for a while. Then with a lump of wood held against the door to prevent further damage, smacked hard with a lump hammer around the edges. This could free up the door if it is just rusted up.
Keep us posted on the result.
Tim

safeman

anngibson wrote
[ATTACH=CONFIG]6113[/ATTACH]This [ATTACH=CONFIG]6114[/ATTACH]safe was in our garage when we moved in seven years ago, had probably been there for the previous 25. It’s locked and we’re wondering what to do to open it - a key would be preferable, but none to be found. Should there be a number somewhere?
Pardon my ignorance, once more!
Ann

From the photograph it would appear that this safe is of a type as shown on the attached illustration from Chubb’s catalogue of 1915 when their address was 128 Queen Victoria Street. Not that this information will be in the least way helpful to you as the only practical way of getting it open will be for a safeman to drill and overcome the lock.

As you will see, the actual quality of the safe could be a basic standard book safe, a higher quality intended for jewellery, or even a high security cash safe. They all appear identical externally.

If you wish I could give you the name of such a safe technician in Glasgow but had better warn you that it is unlikely that anyone would undertake to drill this safe open for less than £400, possibly even more depending on the remoteness of the address. By the way, the serial number will be on the inside of the safe and would’nt be of any help anyway.

[unknown]

Alan Morgan

Thanks for posting the catalogue, very interesting.
There’s always a proportion of these older safes that are just not worth repairing, sad when you think of the time and care that went into their manufacture. Sometimes we do a discount ‘open and disable’ where the locking mechanism becomes part of the fee. This only really applies to the rare or special locks, so most C19th would not qualify except better quality units.

anngibson

Thanks everyone for your comments on the old safe. Yes there is movement on the handle - trying to open it, but no movement on the door, probably the corrosion there. Your suggestion for an opening attempt are noted, Tim. I don’t think we’ll go as far as getting a technician in, Safeman, but thanks for the info and costing. I’m not interested in repairing or storing it, mainly just opening it. We could drill it ourselves. These catalogue pictures are interesting too. Does anyone know what the key would have looked like? as every nook and cranny has not been thoroughly explored.
I will keep you posted on any results. Thanks once more for your observations.
Ann

safeman

Ann,

As it is just possible that your safe is unlocked but jammed, I have another suggestion. Timbo recommended penetrating oil and a hammer. When a door is immovable like this I suggest that a heavy hammer be forcefully applied directly to the door plate at a point exactly half way between the hinges while applying as much pulling power as possible to the handle on the opposite side. It may take quite a few blows but any progress will be observed around the leading edge of the door.

I have a feeling though that it is still locked. My reason for saying this is that when opening this model, after unlocking, the handle is turned a full 180 degrees from 6 o’clock to 12 o’clock. In its present position it means that the main boltwork is still fully extended. The reason for the unusual unlocking movement is because the boltwork is operated by a brass cam into which the bolt of the keylock operates. Incidentally, Chubb incorporate hardened drill-resisting studs in the area surrounding the lock.

The foregoing is based on experience from the distant past but I have bad memories of having to undo the more than two dozen screws around the lockcase to access the lock.

John.

safeman

Ann, I forgot to attach a photograph of a Chubb key as you said you wanted to know what one would look like.
As you can see the address is the same.

John.