Bonjour Stephane, a beautiful and very interesting example of a J&J Taunton you have there! Used to see a lot of their standard offerings years ago being used in working mens clubs and pubs etc all over south wales.
They were always well made, sturdy safes but as John pointed out yours is better than those commonly seen with additional improvements to the construction and locking.
Can’t ever recall seeing those projecting dowels to cross lock the top and bottom bolts before- not on any safe, that’s an interesting feature in its own right.
Regards the Cotterill lock, if you use the search box top right of page for Cotterill Climax Detector etc you will find many threads already on these.
There is one from several years ago when I cut keys to a load of these old climax detectors by Cotterill and other makers like Wilson’s, Wolverson etc.
They do have character and a sort of charm of their own but do tend to be rattly at 150+ years old and prone to sliders cracking at the slots and springs compressing and crumbling, so definitely worth stripping the lock down to investigate its condition if you intend using it regularly. They always benefit from a strip down for cleaning too as the cylinders get choked with compressed muck when neglected.
Btw John good to see you active and hope you are well
