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Thread: old still bank

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
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    Edinburgh
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    259
    Country: UK

    Default Home Safes (bank-issued still moneyboxes)

    There are two forms of oval-shaped Home Safe boxes. They were issued by banks, building societies and a few utilities. However, most utilities simply used pre-payment meters and their padlocks are another story.With the exception of the Post Office, Lewis’s Bank, (not to be confused with the John Lewis shops), and a small number of others, most have a case with a warded lock on the top.
    The more complex construction has a warded lock in the outer case, which slides over a base which carries several open tubes. The outer case has a plurality of slots for different coins. This form of oval-shaped Home Safe box is stamped on the base with the Patent Number 168 828 and is dated June 11, 1921. This patent was granted to The Automatic Recording Safe Co. Ltd of London and B’ham, England but based in Chicago. The oval safe has separate compartments with coin slots for PENNY OR HALF CROWN, SHILLING, SIX PENCE (2x slots), THREE PENCE, there is also a closed slot on the side stamped INSERT NOTES THROUGH BASE with a round hole in the base to post the notes through. Earlier versions had a side slot for notes. The top has an enamelled oval plaque riveted in place around the lock, it reads e.g. : LLOYDS BANK LIMITED with the account/safe number, e.g. NO. 34874 engraved.
    These locks are warded, and there are a few patterns. It is not clear whether the variations are intentional, or result merely from several makers being used to make the great number of boxes supplied. One variation is that there are keys of different thicknesses. It is possible to make a skeleton key which will probably open all or most of these boxes. Firstly, it is necessary to have a blank thin enough to enter the thinnest trunnion. Then a slit from the tip is needed. Once the key enters the trunnion, 2 T-shaped steps are needed to operate the lock.
    The other, simpler, type of oval Home Safe boxes have a door on the bottom with a lock which in many is a 3-lever lock, but in others a smaller warded lock similar to that used in most book Home Safes. Earlier versions were of heavier, stronger construction. Some have a balanced shutter mechanism to prevent extraction of coins through the coin slot if the box is inverted. The interior is a single, uncompartmentalised container. Many have a folding handle on top, earlier ones cast or stamped, later ones of wire.
    Close inspection of the door on the bottom might reveal the ends of some rivets which show the small size of the lock. These locks can generally be opened by the L-shaped skeleton included in the common set of 5 or 6 skeleton keys intended for warded padlocks. This also works on most of the bank-issued book-style Home Safes.

  2. #12
    Join Date
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    Edinburgh
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    Country: UK

    Default

    don't know what happened to the formatting above - looked alright when I posted it.

    Pictures show oval safes with bottom door and both the lever lock and simpler warded lock.
    Also, the type with a case that comes away from the base, and has several tubular compartments attached to the base. The lock is a warded lock attached to the inside of the top of the case.
    Sorry, I can't arrange them as I intended.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails oval bank 3l lockbottom Bulgaria 193x 2.jpg   oval bank 3l lockbottom Bulgaria 193x 4.jpg   oval bank 3l lockbottom Bulgaria 193x 6.jpg   oval bank 3l lockbottom Bulgaria 193x 7.jpg   oval bank LLoyds inside.jpg  

    oval bank LLoyds w key 2.jpg   oval bank LLoyds w key.jpg   oval homesafe w warded lock and key door open.jpg   oval homesafe warded lock 1.jpg  

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
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    72
    Country: Italy

    Default

    WOW so many cool pictures and interesting info, thanks! I particularly appreciate the LLOYDS key picture since I'm going to make one.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    I was browsing one of the previously listed websites and couldn't resist buying a couple more money boxes: TRUSTEE SAVINGS and LLOYDS.

    Cheers :)

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
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    Edinburgh
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    Country: UK

    Default home safe patents

    These are some of the relevant patents I've traced. Some products have incomplete numbers, or provisional numbers, making finding them difficult. One patent merely related to a method of attaching a bookcloth covering.

    GB295872 (A) ― 1928-08-23
    https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?DB=EPODOC&II=0&ND=3&adjacent=true&locale=en _EP&FT=D&date=19280823&CC=GB&NR=295872A&KC=A#
    https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publ...872A&KC=A&ND=4
    the metal-body version from 1930- GB338392 1930
    https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publ...392A&KC=A&ND=4

    the Automatic Recording Safe Co., London and B’ham but apparently based in Chicago. GB361154 1931

    https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?DB=EPODOC&II=0&ND=3&adjacent=true&locale=en _EP&FT=D&date=19311119&CC=GB&NR=361154A&KC=A#
    keys for all versions of book style home safe:
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vintage-po...item3f46843d6f
    and numerous other bank home safes on sale from (1/2017)
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/to1956sh/m...p2047675.l2562


    many moneyboxes have, instead of a lock, merely a bung; replacements can be bought here
    spare bungs:

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2906809042...&ul_noapp=true



  5. #15
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    Edinburgh
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    Country: UK

    Default

    Unlike the Bulgarian bank shown above, seems few of the banks with a lock on the bottom door have the lock screwed on. Most are either rivetted on or fixed by bent clips, so not so easily removed.
    Locksmiths who are registered members of the Islandlocks locksmiths' forum can find a how-to on fitting a key to a utility lever lock that can be taken apart. For a lock that cannot be taken apart, impressioning is necessary.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails circular Midland Bank homesafe versions.jpg   oval bank LLoyds orig key 1.jpg   oval home safe w copy key.jpg   oval moneybox warded lock inside 1.jpg   oval moneybox warded lock inside 4 trunnion.JPG  

    PO box 3l w key open 2.jpg   vintage-1921-patent-recording-home-safe-money-bank-lloyds-limited-with-key-box-circa-1930-40s-[3.jpg  

  6. #16
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    Edinburgh
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    Country: UK

    Default Home Safes in book form

    Although these appeared in the 1930's, they became more popular with Banks late 1950's onwards, still with the Bank holding the key. Around the late 1970's as Banks became more determined to make profits for the shareholders — and top bankers — they began to give away (or more often sell) moneyboxes without locks. Most of these were novelty designs, many from Tresmer OY of Helsinki, Finland. Their trademark MK has appeared on c130 designs since 1970. Many have been made in various colours and a range of sizes, especially pigs and the hippopotamus.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 4 versions PO book homesafes open Taylor Law.jpg   BoS book 1970- lock.jpg   Martins Bank book leather 1930- lock.jpg   opening book 2.jpg   opening book safe Automatic Recording Co 1931-.jpg  


  7. #17
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
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    Edinburgh
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    Country: UK

    Default

    I have a number of novelty moneyboxes, mostly with a plug rather than a lock, so probably not of much interest here.
    I have several toy 'safe' style moneyboxes, I'll try to organise some pics. Presumably I don't need to show pics of the Playmobil safe here ... .
    Meanwhile, have a careful look at this cartoon I picked up along the way.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails pigs cartoon strip.jpg  

  8. #18
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    Jun 2009
    Location
    Edinburgh
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    259
    Country: UK

    Default original PO key - for book-style home safe?

    Not quite sure what sort of home safe this is intended for, it was sold separately, but looks like a book rather than a 3lever bottom door lock.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails PO home safe book key.jpg   PO home safe book red w key.jpg   PO home safe book red w key open c193_.jpg  

  9. #19
    Join Date
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    Edinburgh
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    Country: UK

    Default modern metal safe moneybox

    These are currently on sale everywhere in many colours. Seem to be a development of a square shaped safe which had only a comlock, and is still on sale. Today these seem to be from China.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 2000 toy safe moneybox comlock keylock many colours.jpg  

  10. #20
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    Jun 2009
    Location
    Edinburgh
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    259
    Country: UK

    Default French safe moneybox 198-

    This is substantially made, with a real wafer tumbler lock.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails safe blue metal wafer lock French c1980.jpg   safe blue metal wafer lock French c1980 open.jpg  

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