Ultimate & One-off Freestanding Safes

[wylk]

Definitely a one-off, how about the Mosler safe that was built to hold the US constitution, bill of rights, and declaration of independence? It opened at the top and a pantograph would raise/lower the display case. It may no longer be in use, somewhere I read that security was completely revamped after 9/11. Mosler also built a model of it which was shown at various places; where is that model now?

[Huw Eastwood]

yep- thanks wylk that's a true one-off and got to be worthy of mention. In a similar class as the Koh-I-Noor diamond cage/safe I would say, as it's a safe/system designed to display and then lower the contents into a sort of top opening safe or chest- not a true free standing safe as such, but a one-off masterpiece that's made to protect something as priceless as the US constitution has to get a mention

I'm hoping that if it has been laid-up redundant for some time, that it's being well preserved or even better, on display somewhere in one of the big museums. Same with the Koh-I-Noor cage, I would hope they're still around as realistically they're both far more important and prestigious than the manufacturers 'ultimate' offerings I'm seeking here.

I'm still thinking that Mosler or one of the big US manufacturers must have made a no-holds barred monster at some time or other? the development of the cast cannonballs and the Corliss types led to some massive examples. Whereas Britain only saw a couple of round door safes, the US seemed to follow on the style into more recent times with the round door money chests. I'm convinced there's got be something- round or rectangular, that was made thicker and heavier than the rest

[safeman]

What would George Price have to say about this embellishment?

It's certainly not a worthy candidate in the security stakes but it might help get things started.

You're right about the Tann Diamond date. I remember one having been attacked at Holborn Circus in Oct.1978.

They had problems with their oxy-acetylene and had to revert to a disc cutter but got absolutely nowhere.

You are also absolutely correct regarding the Insurance Underwriter's requirement for splitting the risk.

Pleased to hear you are enjoying the Price Catalogue.

[WinterG]

Here is another engraving of an antique safe Arnheim.

[wylk]

Definitely a one-off, how about the Mosler safe that was built to hold the US constitution, bill of rights, and declaration of independence? It opened at the top and a pantograph would raise/lower the display case. It may no longer be in use, somewhere I read that security was completely revamped after 9/11. Mosler also built a model of it which was shown at various places; where is that model now?

I found an image on eBay of this safe. Note, it does stretch the normal distinction between a safe and a vault but I agree with Mosler's calling it a safe.

[Safeone]

Agree that the Chubb Sovereign is a beast of a safe ( QZ prefix era ) but the Chubb Financier also had / has the 150k cash rating. Think the financier had a WZ prefix if I recall correctly.

[oldlock]

Bit of an old thread - but I thought Chubb made some special Sovereigns with a stainless steel (not copper) pour ?

[Chubby]

I remember those old Chubb Sovereigns. The ratio of the dimensions was different from the heavy safes in their standard range. The colour scheme and everything was different- rather than just making an even heavier Bankers' Treasury they set out to do something new, and succeeded. I don't remember but presume they had the isolator boltwork.

[Safeone]

Saw a Tann Diamond in the flesh today, good Lord that is some safe !

I own a Tann Bullion which appears to be identical to a Tann Bankers Mk 8 (cant do the Romen Numeral thingy) not sure if anyone on here knows the exact difference.

The Bullion came with a Bankers Mk 9 which I have since sold.

The internals on the Bullion seemed more substantial than the Mk 9 although the Mk 9 did have x-ray proof mechanisms allegedley.

Safe insurance guru Mike Palmer informed me that the Bullion is rated the same as the Mk 8 Bankers so the difference is beyond me

[Chubby]

Yes, the diamond is quite a safe!

From memory I think the Bullion was a "no frills" type of model. So the price was slightly lower than the equivalent banker. They used to make that wonderful double door bullion. Now that was a monster. It was effectively two safes welded together. You could leave either door open without compromising the security of the other half. I remember one dealer who had a bullion in stock and had it in a particular spot in his showroom because it was right over a structural beam and he wasn't sure if the main part of the floor would take the weight.