Diebold Safe & Lock Co., Canton, Ohio - 3 movements - Rebranding of Chicago Time Lock Co, Marsh Model 2 v.1

The Diebold version of this time lock is identical in all respects to the same model put out by the Chicago Time Lock, Co., their Marsh Model 2, with the exception of the dial inscription and the location of the delay arbor. Diebold bought the Chicago Time Lock Co, in 1908.

Here one can compare directly the similarities between the two company's product.

These photos show the mechanism to allow the wound time lock to remain 'off guard' during business hours. The operator can wind all the time locks to whatever duration he wants on the dial and the time lock will remain off guard until the operator turns the winding square clockwise, red arrow, at which point the lock goes on guard with the spring loaded lever raises the bolt dog to block the hole through which the boltwork would have to slide through to allow one to dial in the correct combination to open the safe, second photo. The spring pair provide redundancy, one spring will do the job. All of the screws securing the lever mechanism attached to the rear of the case have matching serial numbers to the case. This is a common feature in many time locks, exemplifying the care the makers make to be sure everything is as reliable as possible.

This video demonstrates the delay action of arming the Marsh v.2 time lock. Normally when all the movements in a time lock are wound to the desired time, the lock will go 'on guard' preventing the operator from dialing in the combination, In this lock, it will not go on guard until the operator turns a separate arbor to arm the lock. This allows the operator to wind up the movements to the desired time, but still allow the safe to be accessed as if the lock were off guard. This could be useful if one doesn't know when the safe is to be closed permanently for the day.

One of the movements had an entire conversation etched onto the rear plate. I have never see anything like it. Usually safe techs will etch the date of service and maybe their initials or name. Here we have a tech explaining why the movement's condition is not his fault! It's not entirely legible but the meaning is clear and written in script. Each line is denoted by a '/ ' mark. It reads as follows: "This is the way/I found the Balance wheel/it have none/ I did not clean. The italicized word is not legible. Who this is meant for is unclear as no one would see this unless the movement was removed. Perhaps it was written in anticipation to exonerate the tech when the movement had to be returned to the manufacturer for repair or replacement. If so one would expect it to have been signed.

Diebold, c. 1908. Diebold bought the Chicago Time Lock Co. in 1908. This time lock was introduced shortly thereafter with the only the change being the inscription of the dial reflecting the new ownership. In all respects it is identical to Chicago Time Lock Co. Marsh model 2, v.1, which was introduced about 1902-03. It is unclear why Diebold bought Chicago since they had already entered the time lock business in 1894 with the introduction of their Model 1. It is true that their other models of time locks up until this time were usually purpose built to go with the safes and vaults that Diebold made at the time. However there are many examples of their locks in other safes. Perhaps it was thought they could gain market share with a more general use time lock. It is also possible that Chicago had patents on devices that Diebold wished to appropriate; this was not an uncommon tactic in the business. Mosler had grown through consolidations of the Beard & Bro., Ohio Time Lock Co., and Bankers Dustproof Time Lock, Co. Bankers Dustproof Time Lock Co. began their foray into the business through the acquisition of the Consolidated Time lock Co. in 1906.

Given that Chicago produced this lock for about five years, it is quite possible that the Diebold version of the Marsh v.2 is rarer that the Chicago one. There are no other examples of time locks by Diebold that were not designed from scratch by the company nor are there any other known examples of Diebold buying out another time company. 6 1/2" w x 4 1/2"h x 2 3/4"d. Case #M184, movements #519, #541, #545.