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Chas Purden Floor Safe

R

Rocketman

New Member
I have a floor safe, probably 1940s but could be earlier. The brass plate on front says Chas Purden Lancaster Street Birmingham and a second brass plate states Wrought Iron Fire Resisting. I would be interested inany history of this firm.Many thanks.
 
Bit earlier than you thought. Charles Purden are listed in Kellys at 46.48 Lancaster St and 49 Duke St in new and secondhand machines from the 1908 to 1923 editions. They have disappeared by 1932. This could presumably include safes. However in 1903 & 1904 they are listed as:
tool broker, press manufacturer, machinery broker, turners' tools, mill furnisher, pulleys, shaftings &c. safe dealer at 116 & 117 Lancaster street. In 1900 an before they are just listed as tool brokers at 116,117 Lancaster St. These two addresses are the same site , as Lancaster St was renumbered. The site was between Lench St & Bailey St, close to the Lench St junction.
 
Have checked the newspaper archives and most adverts are from WW1, when they seem to be selling electrical equipment. There are a few adverts from the late 1800s , where they are selling portable engines on wheels, such as might be used on farms. Can find no mention of safes, so it must have been a minor line only at the turn of the century.
 
They seem to have been engaged in fairly heavy equipment sales and as such could well have been in an ideal position to move or sell second hand safes. Safes are very heavy I know I have had to help lift one or two! 1548673102155.png
 
Many thanks for your very helpful information. Nothing less that you would expect from you Birmingham folk! I now can safely assume it is Victorian. Who actually made it is still a bit grey. The brass name plate on the door,in my humble opinion is a makers plate, not a' supplied by' plate so I am leaning towards Charles Purden being the maker unless further info surfaces. When I sell it I will get you to pop over , Alan , and lift it out for me , you seem to have a lot of experience moving safes!!( not at night I hope!) Kind regards
 
Rocketman said:
Many thanks for your very helpful information. Nothing less that you would expect from you Birmingham folk! I now can safely assume it is Victorian. Who actually made it is still a bit grey. The brass name plate on the door,in my humble opinion is a makers plate, not a' supplied by' plate so I am leaning towards Charles Purden being the maker unless further info surfaces. When I sell it I will get you to pop over , Alan , and lift it out for me , you seem to have a lot of experience moving safes!!( not at night I hope!) Kind regards
Click to expand...
Too old now Rocketman: moving a safe is a guaranteed hernia!! :worried:
 
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