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A
TREATISE ON FIRE & THIEF-PROOF DEPOSITORIES
AND
LOCKS AND KEYS
BY
GEORGE PRICE
1856
ON FIRE AND THIEF-PROOF DEPOSITRIES
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Having been frequently applied for advice as to the kind of safe requisite for certain uses and particular situations, and for information as to the construction of Iron Safes - the thickness of the plates forming the body and door - upon what principle they are made fire-proof - how long they will resist fire - whether the locks are unpickable and powder-proof - if the door will resist drilling - the best place to fix them - and other similar particulars, I conceived that a treatise giving a short history of the Iron Safe Trade, with a description of all the patents taken out in connection therewith, but especially of those improvements recently introduced by myself, together with the details of their construction , and illustrated by diagrams and engravings, would not be unacceptable to those in want of an article now considered essential to the peace of mind and comfort of not only the banker and merchant, but of every trader who has books to preserve, or the householder who has cash and plate to take care of, as well to those who are already in possession of them; and I presumed it would not be altogether uninteresting to the public generally, more particularly, when the immense value of the precious metals, specie, banknotes, deeds, and commercial books, already intrusted to the custody of iron safes, boxes, and strong rooms, is taken into consideration.
Mr. Granville Sharp, in his "Prize Essay on Practical Banking." Says, in the Article on Safes, at page 315,-
"For the purpose of awakening attention to the importance of locks and safes, it may be suitable here to quote a passage from the 'Bankers' Magazine,' for April, 1845: 'In a country where a large class subsist by robbery, and where the means of effecting it securely is the constant study of skilful and ingenious thieves, the only means of baffling them, and of protecting the ordinary depositories of valuables from their felonious attacks, is to call in the aid of the greatest mechanical skill with respect to locks and fastenings, and to exercise unceasing care and vigilance. The bank robberies during the late years show that they have been planned with extraordinary sagacity, and have been effected with q degree of skill which proves that they are not undertaken by ordinary thieves. The large amount of money which the house-breakers are confident of obtaining the case of a successful burglary at a bank, induces them to act with a degree of skill and caution proportionate to the expected booty; and it is for this reason that an unsuccessful attempt to rob a bank is seldom heard of. When 'a set' is made at a bank, every information is in the first place sought for by the burglars of the means of security adopted , and it has been ascertained that many weeks and even months have been occupied in this manner. Attempts are made to tamper with the servants, and an acquaintance is formed, if possible with some of the female domestics. If, upon inquiry, it is found that the means of security are so numerous and inviolable as to give no chance of success, the matter is quickly dropped; but if any opportunity presents itself, no time is deemed to long to wait for the proper moment when the bank may be entered, the mis-named safe or strongroom be opened, and a clean sweep made of all the convertible securities and money it may contain.' This was exemplified in the bank robbery at Glasgow some years since; and when the Dorchester Bank was robbed some years ago, the burgulars were in the house ninety-two nights before they succeeded in opening all the locks, which they did by fitting false keys that would unlock and re-lock them."
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