Safe locks reference books?
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Re: Safe locks reference books?
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Re: Safe locks reference books?
Re: Safe locks reference books?
Martin Hewitt, Investigator Chronicles of Martin Hewitt
Re: Safe locks reference books?
Keeper of the Bests / Supreme Overlord of Small Format Interchangeable Picking Nightmares
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Re: Safe locks reference books?
MartinHewitt wrote:Pulford's High Security Mechanical Locks is great. It is mostly not about safe locks, but there are still quite a lot of them in there and not only the standard locks.
Unfortunately that is not at all like what he wants. That is more modern while OP wants older US made safe locks.
While not exactly what you are looking for, this is an AMAZING book for anyone that is into safe and time locks. Tons of full color photographs. https://www.amazon.com/American-Genius-Nineteenth-Century-Locks/dp/1593720165
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Re: Safe locks reference books?
Re: Safe locks reference books?
Martin Hewitt, Investigator Chronicles of Martin Hewitt
OldddffAASSTT the Spin Master Extraordinaire and American Lock Slayer
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Re: Safe locks reference books?
And a +1 on Dave McOmie for sure. That man has collected and documented a truly staggering amount of info on safes and safe locks. More than I'll probably see in three of my lifetimes. Unbelievable really. I won't even try to start naming all the books he's put together, all of which are available for purchase on searchable jump drives too. Naturally, you need to be a legit locksmith or safetech though. And they come with a price tag... rightfully so. Singles can range from $100-200. While a good portion, or even ALL of his work on one jump drive will run between $1,000-3,000.
Like you, I'm really just a passionate hobbyist at the moment and find it difficult to justify hundreds... but if, down the line, you get serious enough and decide to drop a couple hundred on a single... absolutely start with "McOmie Files". That one is strictly on locks. An A-Z list. Though far from including every lock, there's plenty to chew on and will help you identify a good majority of what you'll run into. After that, I'd say "Mostly Modern Safes" and also "Antique Safes". Given when each of these were originally published though, you might say 'modern' = antique... and the 'antique' = ancient.
p.s. Eric, that book you linked to... tempting.
Hmmm, maybe a Christmas present to myself.
Wonder(?) ratio of time locks vs. safe locks in it?
Keeper of the Bests / Supreme Overlord of Small Format Interchangeable Picking Nightmares
Posts: 2167
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2011 11:16 am
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Re: Safe locks reference books?
Oldfast wrote:As Riy mentioned, old catalogs can be useful.
And a +1 on Dave McOmie for sure. That man has collected and documented a truly staggering amount of info on safes and safe locks. More than I'll probably see in three of my lifetimes. Unbelievable really. I won't even try to start naming all the books he's put together, all of which are available for purchase on searchable jump drives too. Naturally, you need to be a legit locksmith or safetech though. And they come with a price tag... rightfully so. Singles can range from $100-200. While a good portion, or even ALL of his work on one jump drive will run between $1,000-3,000.
Like you, I'm really just a passionate hobbyist at the moment and find it difficult to justify hundreds... but if, down the line, you get serious enough and decide to drop a couple hundred on a single... absolutely start with "McOmie Files". That one is strictly on locks. An A-Z list. Though far from including every lock, there's plenty to chew on and will help you identify a good majority of what you'll run into. After that, I'd say "Mostly Modern Safes" and also "Antique Safes". Given when each of these were originally published though, you might say 'modern' = antique... and the 'antique' = ancient.
p.s. Eric, that book you linked to... tempting.
Hmmm, maybe a Christmas present to myself.
Wonder(?) ratio of time locks vs. safe locks in it?
Well shit, I thought you had it or I would have sent my copy down with all the catalogs I sent you. I haven't counted but I think there are more time locks than safe locks. It is mostly very early stuff in the mid to late 1800s into the very early 1900s. Pure lock porn, all full color photos and what not. No breakdowns etc, just a history of early safe and time locks in America.
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Re: Safe locks reference books?
Re: Safe locks reference books?
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