Freestanding Safes with Triple Key Locks

Huw Eastwood

Here’s something you don’t see very often. Whereas dual locking is relatively common, it’s pretty unusual to see three locks on any free standing safe- but especially on such a small size safe as this one.

Pretty sure from memory it’s a LIPS, although for some reason I’d saved the pics with an FJP Trousselot makers plate, which I don’t think has any connection.

Feel free to add any triple (or quadruple !)locking safe pics that you have. There was a more modern Chubb/Mosler (i think) posted from Australia a while back which I’ll dig out and add…

Memory failed on that one, it was a Chubb Mosler Taylor posted by CoastSteve in BC Canada and not Australia;
https://www.antique-locks.com/showthread.php/5132-Chubb-Mosler-Taylor-New-to-all-this-From-BC-Canada

Chubby

Ratner used to make a triple lock banker, if memory serves me correctly.

Huw Eastwood

Also List 4 and List 5 Milners made with 3 keylocks, but haven’t got any photos.

safeman

Huw Eastwood wrote
Also List 4 and List 5 Milners made with 3 keylocks, but haven’t got any photos.

Here’s a couple of Milner List 5’s quite a few years apart. Don’t know about the earlier models but the 1920 versions had 3 fantail locks which provided for 3 keyholders plus a Master Key.
The Ratner, missing an escutcheon the lower keylock, employed the Letter Lock as the servo for shutters for the two keylocks. Also available with just 3 keylocks.

[unknown]

Huw Eastwood

Great thanks for posting these safeman, I now remember seeing the Milners over on your website. Distinctive handwheels they fitted on those big Ratners with the spiralled spokes.

WinterG

Milner’s safe 3 keys.

Paul Prescott

safeman wrote
3 keyholders plus a Master Key.

How did the lock support a master key ?

[unknown]

safeman

oldlock wrote
How did the lock support a master key ?

Sorry Oldlock, I should have referred to the locks by their proper name which
reads "Milner’s seven-lever, triple stump, unpickable locks, duplicate keys for each lock
and, if desired, a master key to pass the whole".

The key bits were stamped A,B and C and the master was so stamped on the bow.

[unknown]

Cepasaccus

oldlock wrote
How did the lock support a master key ?

Maybe with extra cuts in the levers for the master key?

[unknown]

Paul Prescott

Thats fine - I was thinking I had been missing something for years about the standard model of lock that we all know.

Anyone ever seen one ?

Gary Stephenson

I have seen them and may even have some of them buried somewhere, I will post a picture if I can find one.

Gary Stephenson

I also seem to remember an old Chatwood with triple locking that had Aubin or Nettlefolds patent locks on it.

safeman

oldlock wrote
Thats fine - I was thinking I had been missing something for years about the standard model of lock that we all know.

Anyone ever seen one ?

Oldlock, I am very familiar with this lock in it’s exposed lever form which was fitted to the Clydesdale Bank List 5 Branch Bank safes which they wished to make explosive resistant by the retro-fitting of automatic relockers in the 1950’s.

This involved brazing a tail piece to the rear end of the bolt of the top lock and connecting it upwards by a loose wire to a Ratnermatic type of device well above the lock and out of harms way.

This was done in-situ at the branches which greatly increased my local history knowledge of the more remote parts of Scotland over many months.

[unknown]

Tom Gordon

Gary Stephenson wrote
I also seem to remember an old Chatwood with triple locking that had Aubin or Nettlefolds patent locks on it.

There was apparently a triple locking Chatwood safe inside a vault in the Bank Of England, but I don’t think that I have seen others.
They made so many specials though, it would be odd if there weren’t more.

[unknown]

Chubby

That triple escutcheon would be a great addition to any collection!

Tom Gordon

Chubby wrote
That triple escutcheon would be a great addition to any collection!

The safe would have been an even better addition!

[unknown]

Paul Prescott

safeman wrote
Oldlock, I am very familiar with this lock i

I have a few too, what I have not seen and would be interested to see is a master keyed example.

[unknown]