What Is a Peterman?

Safecracking is a profession that has a much better reputation now than it did in the past when it was often associated with criminal activity and bank heists. ‘Peterman’ is an old synonym for safecracker. We thought it would be interesting to take a look at the history and etymology behind this archaic term and share the story of Scotland’s most notorious Peterman: John Ramensky. 

The History of Peterman

Peterman is a person who can gain entry to a safe without the key or combination, a skill that was historically associated with criminals. In the 20th Century there was a spate of safe-blowing crimes, with gunpowder being the most common tool of choice for the hardened criminals. The peak of these crimes was between the late 1940s and the 60s. The spike in these crimes, shortly after two world wars, was linked to the return of soldiers who were experienced with explosives and in search of an income.

Etymology of Peterman 

Peterman is believed to be a word of Scottish origin and may stem from Peterhead prison in Aberdeenshire. A jail that has housed many different safe-breakers in its time. Another popular belief about the term is linked to gunpowder. The main ingredient in gunpowder is Potassium Nitrate, also known as saltpetre and some lexicographers believe that this is the origin of the word. In French, péter means to crack or explode, another possible link to safecracking.

John Ramensky – Notorious Peterman 

One of the most notorious safe-blowers in the UK was the late Johnny Ramensky. Ramensky was of Lithuanian descent and, despite being a repeat safe-blowing offender and in prison for the vast majority of his life, was very well respected by people in all walks of life. He was a safecracker with a strong set of ethics. When caught, he would freely confess his wrongdoings even letting police know of unexploded gelignite, an explosive material he used to open the safes.

Despite his escapades in escaping prisons, prison officers and governors alike respected Ramensky, who would return by post war-savings and pension books found in safes he stole from. Ramensky, who later changed his name to John Ramsey, was famous for escaping Peterhead prison five times. He was let out of prison to fight in the Second World War as a commando where he put his safecracking skills to good use, infiltrating the safes of 14 foreign embassies in one day.

His life of crime was too hard to escape though and after leaving the army he was caught cracking another safe in York. He remains a popular figure in Scottish folklore and was embodied in a statue at the base of Ben Nevis. He eventually died of a stroke in Perth prison in 1972, aged 67.

Professional Safecracking 

Here at PT Lock & Safe, we are expert Petermen. However, unlike John Ramensky and the others of his era, we don’t use dynamite to open safes. We rarely even use drills. We will always attempt to open your safe with lock picks rather than drilling, so as not to damage the mechanism of the safe. We have never failed to open a safe brought to us.

Have a safe that needs to be opened? Call us on 01603 812613 or email us on admin@ptlockandsafe.co.uk. 

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