Thanks for your reply safeman. I thought this'd be an interesting one which'd hopefully get some interesting discussion going, perhaps more will get time over Easter.

I can't help thinking there must be some amazing examples lost in the shadows- hopefully some more will show up.

Your correction on my SLS Gem dates reminded me of another- I didn't know the Gems were developed earlier in the late 70s, although thinking about it now it makes sense as I forgot to mention that for the Tann Diamond- around the same sort of time I think. Somewhere I've got a pile of old Locksmith Ledgers from the 70s/80s and remember the production version of the Tann aimed at the US market is mentioned in one around 1979 I think. I've also got a load of Keyways from around the same time, and although I remember some good articles on development and barrier materials I can't remember any mention of any of these. I'll have to dig them out and have another look.

Also I made a big mistake when I said the SLS Gem featured their usual Aluramic barrier material- I should've remembered- it was actually a big step up using a mixture of copper/ceramics and stainless/ceramics- hence the weight of what was quite a dimensionally small safe.

I can see where you're coming from when you refer to Mr. P's ego trip, but I think I can understand his thinking. If I'd been in his shoes at that time I'd have grabbed the opportunity and the whole 'unlimited' concept. Think of all the high temperature 'super-alloys' developed for jet engine turbine blades etc. Not to mention some of the ultra dense Tungsten alloys with a melting point over 6000F.

Good job he was in charge really, as if I'd been resonsible it would have ended up 6 foot square, weighed 115 tons and had enough internal space for a mars bar.

I can remember a few of the other safe manufactures referring to such 'ultimate safes' a few years later, saying that they also had the capability of producing an over-the-top unit offering an incredible level of resistive protection.

How things change though- much more recent, around 10 years ago, I was talking to one of the big companies and they remarked that they did occasionally still get such requests for a one-off 'ultimate safe'. One was for a unit with half a million cash cover- if it'd had been down to me I'd have been out in the factory already making a start on it. Their reply was, with hindsight I suppose to be expected, but it did surprise me at the time- buy 5 of our grade V's and spread the contents between them! Not surprising I suppose, and it does make sense nowadays since it's all gone that way with risk management etc.

Interesting about the Chatwood CB's- explains the basic hinges and emphasises it's conception uniquely for the CB's application.

Also the Chubb's you mentioned. They seem pretty elusive with little information available. I've seen the crane hinged bankers before, although your picture shows a different variation with a beautifully fluted door pull and handle. perhaps the 'super' versions were one-off variations or even an early Sovereign? Interesting stuff