Chubb Treasury Door with unusual inline vertical lock configuration

[Huw Eastwood]

Great pictures it looks like it was in good condition back then and seeing the photo of the door front reminds me more of Milners’ similar offerings more than Chubb. Heck of slab on that stepped door plate too.

[chrisryan]

Great pictures it looks like it was in good condition back then and seeing the photo of the door front reminds me more of Milners’ similar offerings more than Chubb. Heck of slab on that stepped door plate too.

Thanks Huw,

Yes, awesome !! The most serious door I have ever seen in the flesh !! Sadly, I believe LSD is no longer in business and the vault has been decommissioned several years ago .

Best regards, Chris

[safeman]

Thanks Huw,

Yes, awesome !! The most serious door I have ever seen in the flesh !! Sadly, I believe LSD is no longer in business and the vault has been decommissioned several years ago .

Best regards, Chris

Tann version - one dial obscured by fairing. Location unknown.

[chrisryan]

Tann version - one dial obscured by fairing. Location unknown.

Looks like a bit of a beast !! Do you have any pictures of the innards ?

Best regards, Chris

[safeman]

Looks like a bit of a beast !! Do you have any pictures of the innards ?

Best regards, Chris

Hello again Chris,
Up until about 70 years ago it was not uncommon to see illustrations of the mechanisms but then with the rise in safe-breaking the makers started blanking off the back plates.
This door, a John Tann C5 quality made in 1952 for the Chancery Lane Safe Deposit had the glass back plate replaced some years later as it was open to view by the Renters but at least it gives you an idea what the mechanism of such doors looked like.
Regards ... John.

[chrisryan]

Thanks John,

All very interesting stuff !! Very much appreciate you posting the pictures.

Best regards,

Chris

[wylk]

Up until about 70 years ago it was not uncommon to see illustrations of the mechanisms but then with the rise in safe-breaking the makers started blanking off the back plates.

I expect it was also good for manufacturing. It is easier and more cost-effective to make boltwork that is merely functional, without making it all a polished piece of art.

[safeman]

I expect it was also good for manufacturing. It is easier and more cost-effective to make boltwork that is merely functional, without making it all a polished piece of art.

Hello Wylk,
Indeed, but such embellishment had a purpose. Confidence. Such features were always put on show where the client or depositor would be impressed, even to the extent of placing the door in an Architrave of similar enhancement, usually in the main Banking Hall.

An example is within the same installation as the door illustrated but on an adjoining vault which houses the London Silver Vaults, a series of over 40 small strongrooms each containing the showroom of Silver merchants where the liabilities and conscience of the vault owner is not as onerous as in the Safe Deposit.

This is more or less an identical quality of door but without the SS cladding, crane hinge and full clenching mechanism.
Photography is not permitted of the main doors which no doubt accounts for the slight camera-shake.