Ultimate & One-off Freestanding Safes

Huw Eastwood · 2014-04-11T13:27:20+00:00

Hello everyone, here’s a subject I’ve discussed with many people countless times over the years, and thought it’d be a good one to get some discussion going on here with members world-wide. Over the years a few of the big safe manufacturers have produced an ‘ultimate’ bespoke safe for unique circumstances, usually at the request of a large banking institution or private corporation. I’m talking free standing safes here, and not ‘walk-in’ strong rooms or vaults, which have of course been covered many times in other threads. By ‘ultimate safe’ I’m referring to unique one-offs or small-run (2 or 3 units for example) which are constructed differently and above a manufacturers standard production ‘high grade’ safes. I’m not thinking of the countless so-called ‘luxury’ safes on the European market, as these are mostly just re-worked ‘badge engineered’ versions of other manufacturers euro grade models. I remember seeing a safe on the net which I think was presented to the Vatican as a gift, for use by the Pope- again from what I could see it was yet another re-worked euro grader made by someone else, fitted with pointless gimmickry and it’s 1 or 2 million price tag was meaningless, likewise another euro grader a few years back, (which I still fall off my chair laughing when I think about it) ‘styled’ like a Bugatti Veyron and actually licensed and endorsed by the company (with an equally ridiculous price tag). I’m not thinking of safes with ridiculous paint jobs, any of the so-called luxury models with plush interiors and automatic watch winders, carbon-fibre cladding etc. Also exempt is anything bling- 18K gold S&G combo dials with baguette diamonds set around the bezel (ohh yes- you’d be amazed) aren’t what I’m talking here, I’m thinking of ultimate security safes built 100% for all-out protective security and defence. I’ll start things off with a great candidate for number 1: 1- 1980s SLS Gem This one, for me at least, is undisputable as only 2 were ever made, and both examples were uniquely constructed, and not just based on one of their existing top of the range Bankers Treasury models. They also produced a slightly lesser ‘Sapphire’ version of which a few more units were made. I think both were produced in the mid 1980s, and that one of the Gems was destined for HM the Queen at Buckingham Palace, and the other for private use in the Middle East. The latter example I think ended up at a US dealer and was offered for sale at about $45~$50,000 some years back. A truly serious safe of massive construction- although relatively small in terms of overall size, the protective door slab and walls were 8 inches thick, and it featured SLS’s usual aluramic (aluminium with ceramic) armour with glass plates and randomly positioned live and dead relockers. 2- 1929 Chatwood CB Quality Here’s another of which only 2 were ever made. This one has been briefly covered in a post elsewhere on here, but surprisingly had little reaction. You can see a couple of very rare pictures kindly posted by safeman on his ‘Very special Chatwood’ thread. Produced purely at the unique request of the Commercial Bank of Scotland, ( the CB stands for commercial bank),both were identical and nothing short of monstrous in size and construction. Much larger sized than the SLS Gem, with 10 inch thick door slab and 10 inch walls and a weight of about 7 tons, this beautiful Chatwood is possibly the largest and heaviest free stander ever made? Also interesting is despite a door 15 inches thick overall, they didn’t give it crane hinges and huge capstan handles ‘vault door style’, it just had an ordinary brass loop handle, standard hinges and looked pretty similar to one of their early Diamond safes. 3- Tann Diamond This model started as a one-off special commissioned by DeBeers for storage of their most valuable stones at their London HQ. Featuring heavier walls and defences than their Super Treasury, the Diamond started out as a single bespoke unit but was so successful it resulted with DeBeers requesting several more. Tann’s then went on to produce an altered, toned-down version of it as their standard top-of-the range safe above the Bankers and Treasury models. Other possible candidates: 4- Chubb With such a long and prestigious history I think there must be many Chubb examples which we simply never got to hear about, especially in terms of those produced for Royal use. Their ‘bird cage’ built to secure the Ko-I-Noor (think that’s how you spell it) diamond at the 1851 Great Exhibition is definitely one worthy of mention, but the overall principle it employed isn’t really a ‘free standing’ safe as such. Likewise after the famous Cornhill robbery and other similar hold-ups they pioneered new secure containers for bullion and cash, but these were mostly heavy rectangular chests and strong boxes, and not really free standing safes proper. Chubb certainly made their mark with bespoke strong room and vault installations worldwide, but I’m not aware of any one-off ultimate safes to include here. Anyone know of any? 5- Fichet- Le Super Fichet? Not sure of this one- there’s some old literature floating around which might suggest this was just a very expensive top-of-the range model and not a commissioned one-off. They made a very heavy safe in the mid 1920s which I think was model 242. had a very thick stepped door and a weight of about 2500 kg- absolutely incredible for the size of the safe. Some suggest the later ‘Le Super Fichet’ of 1928 was a one-off improved version of the 242, but I don’t know for sure. Anyone know anymore? There must be many others from all those European and American manufacturers, so it’d be great to hear what you guys can add from around the world 🙁happy):

Safeone

Redoubt wrote
No need to pose as a serious buyer, just ask away.

Are the pictures I posted in this thread showing a current production model ? If so could you please post the specs.

A link to view what you can offer would be interesting.

[unknown]

Redoubt

All of the safes are custom fabricated to suite requirements.
Very little is provided in the way of specifications except between me, the customer, and the insurer if applicable.
The foundry i use has the capability of pouring up to 2000kg of Copper, Aluminium. All AA and TDR castings are well over 100mm thick and even thicker depending on requirements.
The safes feature randomly mounted locks, random relockers, random glass, random barriers, and lots of other bits and pieces.
I hope that gives you a rough idea of what these safes are about.

Paul Prescott

Much of a market for safes of such quality these days Doug ?

Safeone

Ah sounds like the true bespoke safe making art is still alive and well if not a ‘few’ miles away !

As this thread has hinted at, other security layers seemed to have helped with the ending of the true monolith safes which are a joy to behold in their own huge right.

The first signs of attack on the building containing the safe would no doubt have immediate filmed attention & response before the crims had even spotted the strongroom / safe.

Huw Eastwood

Safeone wrote
Ah sounds like the true bespoke safe making art is still alive and well if not a ‘few’ miles away !

Yes have to agree with that

Redoubt-thanks for jumping in on this and welcome aboard. Apologies again for the Australian mix-up!

The safe looks extremely impressive as are the specifications. The old SLS literature immediately sprang to mind when you mentioned the aluminium/copper castings and the use of randomly positioned live and dead relockers. It’s great to see that ‘proper’ safes are still being made to this degree of specification. Sadly like safeone says you are about as far away as is physically possible from the UK making it unlikely we’ll ever get to see one, but very impressive all round and also a member of the magic 6 inch club

When I started this post i was hoping for worldwide news on any one-offs or ‘ultimates’ and the Redoubt sure seems to meet the mark- thanks for joining in and the info 🙁y):

[unknown]

Safeone

I know its childish but I did find this funny :

a member of the magic 6 inch club

Anyway back on topic 🙁happy):

Redoubt

Hi Oldlock
As to be expected the market is very small, but the market is still there.
Have had a lot of interest from abroad for absolute monsters that would just not be practical to move or manufacture.
Mike

Huw Eastwood

The Hobbs hart Branch bank reminded me of another possibility- the Milners Diamond. Think both of these were just standard production back in the day, but both seem extremely rare and could have been very limited numbers. the Milners diamond was above their Bankers, Grade 7 and Branch Bank and so possibly a small-run ‘ultimate’..

Paul Prescott

I think I saw a Milners Diamond once, and absolute monster of a safe at a safe dealers in Leeds (Adamant safe co ??)

They were very proud of it, detachable bit keys. Very nice as I recall.

Huw Eastwood

Yes I remember Adamant safe- that was good timing seeing the Milners Diamond. you’ve got me drooling now..

Remembered about an update on the Fichet model 242. Found an advert for it and even with my limited French able to translate part as ‘at a very affordable price’, still a monster safe but not quite what I thought it was. The question still lingers over Le Super Fichet, which I’ve heard may have been an ultimate version of the 242, but so far never found confirmation.

MartinB

This Milner? Every piece of its gear driven bolt work was chrome plated and utterly over the top. Never let it be said "it’s just a Milner…' I nearly cried when it was sent to the scrap yard! Glad to report it did put up a fight and nearly crippled the forklift and pallet trucks.

Paul Prescott

I thought it had a crane hinge ?? I saw it when the collection was being sold. Stupidly I did not buy much as I was saving my limited funds for the Peter Phillips sale - DUMB !!

Huw Eastwood

Nice safe but I’d be surprised if that’s a diamond- only 2 way boltwork and very basic. I’d expect a lot more than that on a safe above their Bankers and Branch banks. But, I’ve never seen one or seen details of one-they are supposedly VERY rare so who knows..

Huw Eastwood

forgot to add safeman will know!

safeman

MaxVaultage wrote
forgot to add safeman will know!

The truth is out! This stuff is all too modern for me. My Milner knowledge seems to end around the time of their 1937
catalogue and the hurried scratchings I took from one of the huge volumes of the Chubb Collectanea in their archive in
or around 1991.

If I can read my writing ……

1919 List 2 Now 12 corner bent with rectangular bolts. Body 3/16″ to ⅜″ depending on size. Door ⅜″ to ½″
depending on size. ⅜″ ply steel over lock. Angle lockcase 2 ¼″× 2 ¼″× ¼″.
List 3 Still 4 corner bent banded. (Imp.patent) round bolts. Body ¼″ to 5/16″ depending on size.
Lockcase ‘T’ bars 3 ½″x 3 ½″ × ½″. Wedge guards.
List 4 Door 1 ½″ DR sandwich, body ½″.
List 5 “ ” “ ” body 1 ⅛″.
List 6 “ ” “ ” boby 1 ¼″ 5 ply.
British Army Safe 22 × 15 × 16 ⅜″body ⅞″ door 318lbs.
Bank Safe As List 5 + 3 shelves, 2 drs. 1 cubd. 60″ × 32″ × 28″.
Impregnable (liquid resisting joint) 12 bolts all round. Crane hinge. 60″ × 34 ½″ × 28″. 6160 lbs.

1937 Grade 1 12 corner bent with ½″door - rectangular bolts.
Grade 2 “ ” “ ¼” body ½″ door with ¼″angle lockcase - rectangular bolts.
Double Shell Cash Safe Made in 2 sizes (to compete with Duplex) 26 ¼″ and 29″ high. Door 1″ thick over lock.
3 × 1 ⅜″ round bolts + 1 fixed at back.
Grade 3 12 corner bent ⅜″ thick. DR over door, 1 ½″ over lock. AED.
Grade 4 ⅞″ DR body. 2″ over lock. Outer plate DR AED.
Grade 5 Double Hinge. DR/ABP in body. 2 or 3 locks.
Grade 6 As above but thicker.
Branch Bank Double hinges. (Spiegeleisen)?

[unknown]

Huw Eastwood

thanks safeman- lots of nitty gritty info there. It must’ve taken ages to type that lot from handwritten notes! I knew you’d come up with something

Safeone

All things considered I put my top three forward. These are off the shelf ( yep I would also like to see the shelf ! ) free standers not special bespoke one off’s.

I have the sales booklets for these three which shows they were available to buy or at least order from the respective companies.

Era wise we are probably in the mid 1970’s to late 1980’s. Non of that modern nonsense !

Anyway in third place I have :

Chubb Sovereign 6428/21
weighing in at 3.6 tonne/7,940lbs/3,601kgs

In a very close second place I have :

Tann Diamond 82/7024
weighing in at 5 tonne/11,199lbs/5,080kgs

So the one that gets my top vote is :

SLS Gem 6325
weighing in at 6.9 tonne/15,260lbs/6,025kgs

I know its not all about weight but I dont think you can deny that these three are definite giants amongest anyhing ever made in the safe world.

Huw Eastwood

Nice choices- think mine would be similar with 2 of those. The SLS Gem’s were of course true specials, and not off the shelf, but that’s the whole point of this thread!

The big 6325 Gem has got me wondering- did they ever actually make one? It’s reputedly hard and fast that SLS only ever made 2 Gems. I think safeman mentioned that the one was sacrificed for the TXTL60 testing, and we know that the smaller 3525 survives to this day. Did they sacrifice the bigger 6.9 tonner for the UL rating or had they made more than one of the smaller sizes? Seems odd to me so wondering if they made a couple more than first thought. I hope so as this means your number 1 choice wasn’t diamond drilled, oxy-acetylened and lanced to destruction 🙁-:

They also made the similar looking Sapphire, also in very small numbers which could possibly be mistaken for the Gem.

Also, the 3525 apparently went to a big diamond importer in the USA originally, so with another gone to testing I think the tales I’d heard of one for HM the Queen and one in the Middle East simply were just tales!

Ian D. Lewis

The net weight of the Sovereign 6428/21 was 3385 kg. 3601 kg was the weight including export packing.

Safeone

Ian D. Lewis wrote
The net weight of the Sovereign 6428/21 was 3385 kg. 3601 kg was the weight including export packing.

Thanks for the exact details Ian. Just looked at the back of the Sovereign booklet and you are spot on with that weight.

Wow! 216kg of packaging…… Wonder what the Post Office would want to send that first classs signed for 🙁nod): Might save a few quid if I just bubble wrapped it !

[unknown]

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