Hobbs jewelry / cash safe

snow49

Hi, can anyone tell me if they have ever come across one of these?
when i bought this safe, the fabric was beyond repair, so ive done my best to replace it.
Ive used all the old stuffing to pack it with, but i get the feeling this was probably bare inside when new! :?

the loch has a callar to help prevent picking, ive seen the type on a padlock produced by hobbs

patent no. 123497. thank you,

brian.

Paul Prescott

Thats quite nice. All the major makers produced small strongboxes like that. Some are plain, others velvet lined.

That number is the lock serial number. Alas no dating info is available from that number. It’s worth checking for a second number on the ‘safe’ itself as dating info does exist for the safe records.

snow49

hi, and thanks for that info, the only other number is on the under side of the lid which is 5314.
i thought this number would only be a pattern number of the cast! maybe you could help here,

cheers brian.

Paul Prescott

The safe serial number records started at 7215 in 1880, but we can tie it down further from the company name, and the stamp PROTECTORS it would have to be later than 1861. Plus the high lock number, I would lean towards the late 1870’s …

snow49

hi oldlock, thank you once again for your input, it is much appreciated. 🙂