J. Cartwright & Son Safe Lost Keys - Safecracker In Preston

J. Cartwright & Son Safe Lost Keys – Safecracker In Preston

We were recently contacted by a customer in Preston who needed help gaining access to a J. Cartwright & Son safe after misplacing the keys. This safe, a solid and traditionally built unit, had been in use for many years and was now refusing to give up its contents.

J. Cartwright & Son were respected safe manufacturers known for producing durable, secure safes in the early 20th century. Their locks are typically well-made and often require a specialist understanding to open without causing damage—especially when the original keys are lost.

We attended the site and assessed the condition of the lock and safe. Using precise, non-destructive lockpicking techniques, we were able to successfully open the safe without any damage to the lock or the body. This meant the customer not only regained access to their belongings but also retained the option of having new keys cut to the original lock if they wished to continue using the safe.

It’s always a pleasure to work on heritage safes like this one, especially when we can preserve both their security and historical value. Another secure and respectful job completed in Preston by Paladin Safe Services — your trusted safecracker for antique and modern safes across the North West.

Milners' Safe Lost Keys - Safecracker In Liverpool

Milners’ Safe Lost Keys – Safecracker In Liverpool

We were recently called to look at a Milner’s safe in Liverpool that had quite a story to tell — although we may never know all the details. What was immediately clear, however, was that someone had previously attempted to force it open using a hole saw and an angle grinder, with heavy signs of damage on the door.

Milner’s safes are legendary in the world of secure storage, known for their robust, fire-resistant construction and clever internal mechanisms. These safes were built in the 19th and early 20th centuries to withstand not only fire but also brute-force attacks — and this one certainly proved its toughness.

Despite the earlier attempts, which had failed to breach the safe’s defences, we were brought in to do what we do best: open it professionally.

Even with the visible damage and unknown internal condition, we approached the job with our usual care and expertise. With the right tools and techniques, we were able to gain access to the safe without causing further harm, ensuring that it could still be brought back into service if desired.

It’s a reminder that while amateur attempts can leave a safe battered, they rarely lead to success — especially with something as well-built as a Milners. In cases like this, it’s always best to call a professional safecracker from the start. You’ll save time, avoid unnecessary damage, and preserve the value of the safe.

If you’ve got a historic or high-security safe you can’t open — whether it’s untouched or already suffered at the hands of a DIY attempt — Paladin Safe Services is here to help. Proudly serving Liverpool and the North West, we specialise in respectful, expert access to even the most stubborn safes.

E. Hipkins & Co. Safe Lost Keys Liverpool

E. Hipkins & Co. Safe Lost Keys Liverpool

We were recently called to a particularly challenging and interesting job in Liverpool, where a customer needed access to a locked E. Hipkins & Co. safe — but there was a twist. The safe wasn’t just locked due to lost keys, it was also securely locked inside a Chubb vault, which had to be opened first before we could even begin work on the safe itself.

E. Hipkins & Co. were renowned 19th-century safe manufacturers, known for their high-quality, robust designs. Their safes often feature complex key locks that were built to last and resist tampering — which is great for security, but not so great when the keys are lost!

As professional safecrackers, we thrive on this kind of challenge. But before we could get to work on the Hipkins safe, we first had to gain entry to the Chubb vault it was stored in — a task in itself, given the formidable construction of Chubb vault doors. You can read more about that part of the job here: Chubb Vault Opening Safecracker in Liverpool

Once we’d successfully opened the vault, we carefully set to work on the Hipkins safe. Using precise, non-destructive lockpicking techniques, we were able to manipulate the lock and open the safe cleanly, without causing any damage. This ensured that the customer could reuse the safe in future and even have new keys made if desired.

It’s not every day you’re tasked with opening a safe within a safe, but this job showcased just how layered and effective traditional security systems can be — and how important it is to call a true professional when you’re locked out.

If you’ve lost the keys to your antique or modern safe — even if it’s locked away in a vault — Paladin Safe Services is ready to help. Serving Liverpool and the North West with expert, damage-free safe openings you can trust.

Milners' safe opening - Safecracker in Liverpool

Milners’ safe opening – Safecracker in Liverpool

We were recently called out to assist a customer in Liverpool who had lost the keys to their Milners safe. These safes are renowned for their solid construction and high level of security, making them incredibly reliable — but also quite a challenge when the keys go missing.

Milners safes, many of which date back over a century, were built to protect valuables against fire and theft with precision-engineered locking mechanisms and robust materials. While this makes them exceptional for security, it also means gaining access without keys requires specialist knowledge and a very careful approach to preserve the integrity of the safe.

The customer needed access to the safe’s contents and wanted to avoid damage where possible, as the safe had both practical value and sentimental importance. We were able to attend promptly and used our expertise to open the safe professionally and without compromising its structure or usability.

Once open, we offered advice on the next steps, including the option to have new keys made to the original lock so that the safe could be brought back into full working order for future use.

Another secure and professional job completed in Liverpool by Paladin Safe Services — specialists in opening antique and modern safes with care, precision, and discretion. If you’ve lost your safe keys or can’t gain access, we’re here to help.

Milners' 212 Patent safe - Safecracker in Liverpool

Milners’ 212 Patent safe – Safecracker in Liverpool

We were recently called to a business in Liverpool to open a beautiful example of British safe-making history — a Milners’ 212 Patent Fire-Resisting Safe.

Milners’ safes are well known for their exceptional build quality and fire-resisting properties, and the 212 Patent model is no exception. These safes were manufactured in the 19th and early 20th centuries and were considered some of the most advanced fire safes of their time, often used by banks, businesses, and wealthy individuals.

Despite their age, Milners’ safes are extremely secure. The locking mechanisms are intricate, and gaining access without a key requires a deep understanding of antique safe design—along with the right tools and techniques. Fortunately, we specialise in non-destructive entry, especially when dealing with vintage and antique models where preservation is key.

We carefully opened the safe, ensuring no harm came to the lock or the safe’s historic exterior. The contents were safely retrieved, and the customer was given the option to have new keys cut to match the existing lock if they wished to bring the safe back into regular use.

It’s always a pleasure to work on such well-made and historically significant safes, and this Milners’ 212 in Liverpool was no exception. Another antique safe expertly opened and respected by Paladin Safe Services—bringing heritage security back to life, one lock at a time.

E Phillips & Sons Safecracker Lytham St Annes

E Phillips & Sons Safecracker Lytham St Annes

We were recently called to a church in Lytham St Annes that was having difficulty opening their “The Phoenix” safe, manufactured by E. Phillips & Sons. Although they had the original key in their possession, the safe refused to open, leaving staff unable to access the important documents stored inside.

E. Phillips & Sons were renowned for producing robust, well-crafted safes, and “The Phoenix” model is no exception. Like many traditional safes, they are built with intricate internal mechanisms that can occasionally become stiff or misaligned over time—especially if they haven’t been opened in a while. Even with the correct key, a worn or misused mechanism can prevent the lock from disengaging properly.

We attended the site and carried out a careful assessment of the safe’s condition. Using specialist tools and our knowledge of antique locking systems, we were able to open the safe non-destructively, preserving both the lock and the safe’s structural integrity. No drilling, no damage—just precision work by experienced hands.

Once the safe was open, we checked the internal mechanism and gave it a service to ensure smooth operation going forward. We also provided the church staff with clear guidance on how to operate the lock to avoid similar issues in the future.

The safe was restored to full working order, ready to continue protecting the church’s valuable items for years to come.

Another heritage safe professionally and respectfully opened in Lytham St Annes by Paladin Safe Services. Whether modern or antique, we treat every safe with the care it deserves—ensuring secure, non-destructive access when it matters most.

G.Lucas Antique Safe - Safecracker Liverpool

G.Lucas Antique Safe – Safecracker Liverpool

We were recently contacted by a church in Liverpool that was struggling to open their G. Lucas double-door antique safe, despite having what they believed were the correct keys. The safe, which had been in use for many decades, was an important part of the church’s operations, used to store historical records, valuables, and important documents.

Antique safes like those made by G. Lucas are known for their heavy-duty construction and intricate internal mechanisms. While the keys may have physically fit the lock, age, wear, or internal misalignment can sometimes prevent the bolts from disengaging properly—leaving the safe stubbornly locked even with the right key in hand.

Understanding the importance of preserving the safe and its historical value, we attended the site and set to work using our non-destructive safe-opening techniques. With care and precision, we were able to open the safe without causing any damage, preserving both its appearance and functionality.

Once open, we checked over the internal mechanism and confirmed everything was in working order. After a bit of maintenance and realignment, we were able to return the safe to full working condition, ensuring it could continue serving the church well into the future.

The church was delighted to have their trusted safe back in service—and relieved that no damage was done to this beautifully crafted piece of security history.

If you have an antique safe that refuses to open, don’t force it or risk damaging it—call Paladin Safe Services. Proudly serving Liverpool and beyond with expert care for old and new safes alike.

Lost Keys To Safe - Safecracker Bury

Lost Keys To Safe – Safecracker Bury

We were recently called out to a social club in Bury that had found themselves locked out of their safe after the keys had been lost. With no way to access the contents and no spare keys to be found, the staff needed a prompt solution to regain access without causing unnecessary damage.

The safe in question was a well-used, older model that had served the club faithfully for many years. Although time had taken its toll on the exterior, the lock was still a challenge to bypass—something that highlights just how well-built some of these older safes really are.

Using our non-destructive lockpicking techniques, we were able to open the safe cleanly and professionally, allowing the staff to retrieve the contents without any damage to the cabinet or mechanism.

After discussing options with the club, they decided that—due to the age and wear of the safe—it was time for an upgrade rather than having new keys cut. We provided advice on modern, secure replacements suited to their needs and budget, helping them make an informed decision about improving their security moving forward.

Another successful, damage-free safe opening carried out in Bury by Paladin Safe Services—trusted by businesses and community organisations alike when secure access matters most.

John Port Antique Safe Stolen Key - Safecracker Manchester

John Port Antique Safe Stolen Key – Safecracker Manchester

We were recently called to assist a customer in Greater Manchester who found himself locked out of his John Port antique safe after his van was stolen — along with the only key to the safe. The situation was frustrating, not only because the contents of the safe were now inaccessible, but also because the safe itself was a valuable antique with both practical and sentimental value.

John Port safes are known for their robust, old-world craftsmanship and solid security features. As with many antique safes, destructive entry would not only ruin its function but also destroy its historical integrity. That’s where our expertise comes in.

At Paladin Safe Services, we specialise in opening vintage and antique safes using non-destructive methods, and this was no exception. We carefully picked open the original lock without causing any damage to the safe or its mechanism. This precise approach meant that the original lock was preserved in full working order, and if the customer ever chooses to do so, new keys can be cut to the existing lock.

The owner was relieved and grateful to have his safe open again, with its structure and function completely intact. It’s always a pleasure to work on a piece of British security history, and even better when we can restore it to working order without compromising its value.

Another antique safe professionally and respectfully opened in Greater Manchester. If you’ve lost your safe keys—whether modern or vintage—get in touch with Paladin Safe Services for expert, non-destructive entry across the North West.

Thomas Withers And Sons Safe Lost Keys Rugby

Thomas Withers And Sons Safe Lost Keys Rugby

We were recently called out to Rugby to open a Sandwell Security safe, manufactured by the historic Thomas Withers & Sons Ltd of West Bromwich. The safe had been locked for some time, and the keys were nowhere to be found. The owner was keen to access the contents but also wanted to preserve the integrity of the safe, which held both practical and sentimental value.

Understanding the importance of maintaining the safe’s condition—especially one with such historical significance—we used precise, non-destructive lockpicking techniques to carefully open the safe without causing any damage.

The Thomas Withers & Sons brand has a long-standing reputation for robust, well-built security products, and this safe was no exception. Built to last, it was a pleasure to work on such a solid piece of British safe-making history.

With the safe successfully opened and left completely intact, the owner was delighted to finally access the contents and retain a fully functional, characterful safe.

Another piece of security history expertly unlocked by Paladin Safe Services—proud to serve Rugby and the surrounding areas with professional and respectful safe-opening solutions.