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

[oldlock]

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...

[oldlock]

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

[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.