F Whitfield "The City Safe"

[safeman]

I didn't expect it to be full of what appears to be sawdust, sand and broken glass, lots of broken glass. This being inside the security it serves no purpose other than insulation or sound deadening, so I think something more suitable like rock-wool will be going back.[/QUOTE]


Are you sure that it is glass?

Should be Alum crystals to generate steam in fire.

[safeman]

[

[Steve48]

[

Thank you for the two clips, not seen either before. So Cotterill's made the lock, is that right, you don't say so, but include the advert, so I presume it to be.

[Cepasaccus]

Is this a 12-lever lock? Amazing!

[Chubby]

I think Whitfield are very much underrated. They had good locks and some of their drill proof plates were really, seriously hard.

[Steve48]

I have had this advert for some time. It must postdate my safe as the strapping is bent steel, whereas mine is probably wrought iron, dovetailed and closed by planishing over.
But I do agree with the earlier comment or at least in this instance, this safe is well made and cleverly designed, especially the bolt-work. Even the door still closes as it did over a hundred years ago.

[Steve48]

Is there anyone with suggestions. I guess this is Alum and not broken glass. But it is such an unhealthy looking concoction of what appears to be no more than waste material. It is dirty and rather evil looking and has over the years penetrated slightly into the bolt motion cavity.

My initial thought was to scrap it, but I did save it all.

So should it go back, if so I will ensure it cannot leave that compartment as it has done before. Or perhaps rock-wool and sieve the crystals out and incorporate them in that.

I am very open to ideas. But of course the chances of anyone in this modern world wanting to cut this open with oxy-acetylene is about nil I would have thought.

Any comments gratefully received, Steve.

[Steve48]

I didn't expect it to be full of what appears to be sawdust, sand and broken glass, lots of broken glass. This being inside the security it serves no purpose other than insulation or sound deadening, so I think something more suitable like rock-wool will be going back.

Are you sure that it is glass?

Should be Alum crystals to generate steam in fire.[/QUOTE]

Good point and thank you for that. Safes are not my forte as you can tell. Maybe I should rethink my plan.

[Chubby]

4 way boltwork is so slick.

Yes, alum has about the highest level of "water of crystalisation". It produces a huge amount of water when heated and transformed to the anhydrous state.

[Warren63]

Hi all, has anyone got any idea what this Cotterill part is from? It says Edwin Cotterill patent paragon spring I think.