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  1. #1

    Default Tann's Defiance Safe Under my stairs. Keys?

    Dear All,
    Hello, I have a Tann's Defiance Safe under my stairs. I've kind of ignored it because I've no keys. But after looking behind it (4 years after I moved in) I've found some old newspapers (1957-1960) with a few safe robberies and mentioning the 'Jelly Gang' who raided a milk depo a few streets from where I live, as well as other areas of London. So my interest in this great hunk of metal has gone up again. The newspapers probably arn't related and just happen to be there, but it does seem a large safe for an East London terraced house.
    Can anyone help me with history for this series of safe, how to get into it or even better, keys?

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Both the pics are clickable for a better view. The number stamped on the safe is 8030. I have a nice lady at Gunnebo asking some of there older service people if they remember anything, but thought I'd try here too.

    Anyone?

    Thanks,
    Richard

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Devon UK
    Posts
    3,117
    Country: UK

    Default Re: Tann's Defiance Safe Under my stairs. Keys?

    1880 from the serial number
    Yo are going to need a local locksmith to come and sort it out for you. Do you know one?
    Cheers
    Tom

  3. #3

    Default Re: Tann's Defiance Safe Under my stairs. Keys?

    Hi Tom,

    No, I don't know a locksmith personally. I did call a safe suppliers (Romford Road E.London) that deals with S/H safes, but they wanted £110 to take it away without telling me if anything was in it. I'll persevere with Gunnebo, maybe the date you gave me will help. BTW how do you know the date by the serial number?

    Thanks,

    Richard

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Devon UK
    Posts
    3,117
    Country: UK

    Default Re: Tann's Defiance Safe Under my stairs. Keys?

    Gunnebo are going to be way, way more expensive. Where exactly are you?
    I know everything......well the serial numbers of milner..
    Cheers
    Old Tom

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Central England
    Posts
    93
    Country: England

    Default Re: Tann's Defiance Safe Under my stairs. Keys?

    Here are some safe opening specialists for you to try.
    Simon 07977 151317
    Mike 07976 744505
    If Mike cannot fit it in ask him for Paul Billington's number

  6. #6

    Default Re: Tann's Defiance Safe Under my stairs. Keys?

    Thanks for the replies chaps.

    As suspected, Gunnebo want silly money. And they'll break it in the process.

    I will try and get in touch with Simon/Mike and see what they can offer.

    Thanks again,

    Richard

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Aberdeenshire
    Posts
    697
    Country: Great Britain

    Default Re: Tann's Defiance Safe Under my stairs. Keys?

    I'm sorry RichTee, but only just having registered I had not read your posting regarding the Defiance safe until this week.
    If I'm not too late I have some background information for you.

    Defiance safes were not made by John Tann Ltd, the patentees of the 'Reliance' lock in 1843, and the oldest safemaker in Britain. They were in fact made by another member of the Tann family, Robert, who, in 1913 registered R. Tann's 'Defiance' Safe & Lock Co.Ltd at London Fields Station, Hackney. Robert Tann had in fact been making safes for some time before this, and in the 1905 London Trades Directory under the heading of Safe Makers, his entry warns potential customers to "beware of spurious imitations". Cheek!

    In 1917 Robert sold the 'goodwill' of his company to John Tann for £235.

    The products of the Robert Tann company, although solid enough, were in no way comparable with those of John Tann. Any serial numbers will be relatively meaningless as no records appear to have been kept unlike those of the major safemakers.

    As for the safe illustrated, it appears to be made of quite heavy plates of a square rather than bent body form which suggests that it was made just before the turn of the century. Although considered to be of moderate resistance to burglary in its day, it has little such potential now although it will most likely give quite a good account of itself against fire. This assumes that the body does not sound hollow when tapped which it would if the fire-resisting compound had leaked out over the years.

    Better late than never I suppose.

    Safeman.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    4
    Country: UK

    Default Re: Tann's Defiance Safe Under my stairs. Keys?

    Well Rich Tee has now moved and sold me this problem... anyone with any further ideas?

  9. #9

    Default Re: Tann's Defiance Safe Under my stairs. Keys?

    Okay, now I'm very curious as to the contents of this safe.
    I was really intrigued with the previous owners' discovery of old newspaper clippings of a gang and a safe robbery. I hope they left the newspapers?

    How about doing research on safe robberies in the area during 1957-1960?
    Check the library for other crimes attributed to this gang. Hey you could research previous owners of your residence during this same period and possibly solve a robbery? Maybe get a reward?

    You might turn over the information you have about the safe to an unsolved crime division; they’ll possibly take away the safe. You could locate and visit the owner (possible true owner) of the safe at the Milk depot?
    I’d really like to see you follow up. :?:

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    4
    Country: UK

    Default

    Sorry to bump this up, but its been another 2 years, and the safe still sits there. Can anyone tell me anything else.

    What does the key look like?
    How easy would it be to pick?
    Once picked can i get replacement keys made?

    Please help me, this box of metal under my stairs is not much fun!

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