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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Posts
    4
    Country: Great Britain

    Default Mystery mini safe

    This wee thing is only around 18" tall. Its a "Banded" design and at some time had a brass plate ( long gone) with the key way in the centre. When the key is turned you will see the keyay becomes obscured as the "tails/ tang" of the levers draw across the key blade area. I would appreciate any help with the lock type as I do not think its a standard lever mechanism . Possibly a detainer type.
    clear

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    1,754
    Country: Wales

    Default

    Sounds interesting, here's how to upload pictures
    http://www.antique-locks.com/showthr...-to-your-posts

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Posts
    4
    Country: Great Britain

    Default

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Quote Originally Posted by we11ington View Post
    This wee thing is only around 18" tall. Its a "Banded" design and at some time had a brass plate ( long gone) with the key way in the centre. When the key is turned you will see the keyway becomes obscured as the "tails/ tang" of the levers draw across the key blade area. I would appreciate any help with the lock type as I do not think its a standard lever mechanism . Possibly a detainer type.
    clear

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Bulgaria
    Posts
    686
    Country: Bulgaria

    Default

    The carriages look more modern than I would expect on a banded design. Does anybody agree? In size and design it looks like an old one we used to use to store vehicle work tickets a very long time ago.

    Can you remove the lock so we can see the inside of it please? My initial reaction when I read your description was that it might simply be a barrel and curtain or some variation on that theme.

    No reason why it couldn't be a detainer lock but that would beg the question why?

    A name plate with a keyway incorporated is fairly unusual but not extremely rare. I wonder if it was just pragmatism in view of the lack of space on such a small door.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Posts
    4
    Country: Great Britain

    Default I suspect from the patter of safe plate that it is a Joseph bates patent

    If so what special enough to patent about the Bates lock?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Posts
    4
    Country: Great Britain

    Lightbulb Mystery Solved its a Joseph bates lock ( small )

    Mystery solved, It is Indeed a Joseph Bates and Sons model. The lock is smaller than the ones seen elsewhere on here... IF anyone here has a plate to fit this we would like to retore it. Dennis is making keys and stripping the old hemmerite from the outside.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b2oeWWet8c

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Posts
    11
    Country: Scotland

    Default Joseph Bates safe

    I thought Id post some pictures of the lock in the safe. Ive replaced the broken/missing springs on 3 of the levers. The bolt stump had a litttle bit or damage to it, and caused lever 1 to drop. Thats now had a little repair done.
    The door is away for a repair, and I will finish cutting the key next week.
    After that its cosmetic work.
    Will post a few pics as It goes along.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails lock and levers.jpg   Joseph bates patent lock detainer gates.jpg   Bolt and floating stump engaged.jpg  

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Posts
    11
    Country: Scotland

    Default Joseph bates safe

    Here are a couple more pics. I cut a key, repaired the levers, repaired the door, and had it all shot blasted.
    A lock escutcheon is on its way via ebay, along with some green paint that seemed to be the original colour. Keep you posted on refurb.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Posts
    11
    Country: Scotland

    Default

    Here are the pictures
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Joseph bates key cut heights.jpg   Door assembled and working.jpg   3163.jpg   shot blasted ready for painting.jpg  

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Bulgaria
    Posts
    686
    Country: Bulgaria

    Default

    Is that just a shelf, or has there been a drawer at some time?

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