Quirk Bros. Wilder Patent Safe

Doug MacQueen

Although it is a typical “Wilder Patent Safe”, Quirk Bros. is a little known maker. This was a recent acquisition, where I would keep the safe in return for picking it open. I am a bit out of practice since I was making Hobbs 2-in-1 picks in the early 90’s. Back then I was regularly picking 7, 9 and even a few 12 lever safe locks. The lock in this safe had only 4 levers but it was no piece of cake and not just because of the false gating. It was finely cut and I was using a large pair of vise grips for the bolt and small ones for the levers. Once opened, I was tempted to make the key without removing the the lock. I am glad I didn’t although it would have been faster. It took hours of chipping the insulation out to finally remove the lock. I plan on reinstalling the lock and restoring the safe, eventually. Anyone notice something highly unusual about this otherwise very typical lever lock? I would have never known about this "quirk’ if I had not removed it from the safe. Doug

Paul Prescott

Interesting that the pivot is on the ‘bolt’ side of the gating rather than the hinge. Also given the slope on the top of the bolt stump I wounder if they made a ‘self locking’ version where the bolts could be thrown without the key.

Arcade Al

Was there anything interesting in the safe or was it disappointingly empty?

It always fascinates me when people have locked safes with no idea of the contents but I imagine that 9 times out of ten there is nothing in them…

Paul Prescott

More like 99 times out of 100 empty. And 99 times out of 100 the 1 time there is something in the safe it’s worth nothing 🙁devil):

Arcade Al

Sounds like a good thread idea - most interesting or valuable item/s found in a locked safe or vault!

andy

Hi Doug,

I’m not sure that Quirk Brothers were actually a manufacturer. I have only found listings which would indicate that they were simply a “sales Agent” for B. G. Wilder & Company - the patent holder, and manufacturer after Silas Herring broke ties with Wilder, and not a manufacturer or maker of these safes.

The name plaque on the front of your safe is basically the “B.G. Wilder Patentee & Manufacturer” plaque, but with Quirk Brothers name. The “Depot” indicating a sales location.

The address for Quirk Brothers was listed as No. 98 Maiden Lane, New York, which is a sales area, not a manufacturing area of the city.

Interesting note on the pivot post of the lock. I’ll have to go back through my photos to see if I have any similar locks.