History of Safes and Vaults

Every safe that comes through our shop carries a story that goes back further than most people expect — a story of manufacturers racing to outbuild bank robbers, engineers solving problems no one had solved before, and disasters like the Great Chicago Fire that turned marketing claims into real, tested proof. The history of safes and vaults is one we genuinely treasure.

Below, we’ve pulled together things we’ve learned restoring these pieces: the manufacturers behind them, the engineering that made them work, the craftsmanship that made them beautiful, and the practical questions that come up when you inherit, find, or fall in love with one yourself. Explore the guides below to learn more about the safe or vault in front of you.