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Antique Safes/Yale Vault information
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QUESTION: Was wanting to get some info on this Yale vault door, age, value, etc. It was removed from a court house that was built in the 1900's. As you can see it is two part door with a twenty inch separation to the two interior key doors. the doors have been painted over, obviously, but you can see a slight gold trim around the top.
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Any help would be appreciated.
I can send more pics if needed.
ANSWER: Mike,
The vault door is not a Yale. Yale only made locks. Based on the handle it looks like a Herring-Hall-Marvin Safe Co., plate vault door. I would need better pictures do determine fully, also there should be a serial number on the handle.
Value as a vault door would be $0 as it does not meet any current standards.
Value as an antique, in its current condition and having been repainted it's value has been lowered considerably. It is probably worth around $250-$400.
Restoration will increase the value, however it is not a "sought after" item, so you will probably put more money into it than it will be worth.
Andy
andy@securitysafeusa.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Yes, the serial number was on the handle, #11360. I am not sure what pics you would need but here is another one of the hinges
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Mike,
After seeing the picture of your hinge, I went back and took a look at several of my pictures. The hinge looks very similar to two doors that I have pictures of. One is a Victor and the other was never Identified. I don't think it is the Victor, as Victor used their own lock, not a Yale. The other door which is much closer to yours is the unidentifed vault door.
I had the same problem originally with the unidentifed Vault door, it had been repainted and was not recognizable.
You may want to look at your door more closely, use a bright light at an angle and look for imperfections that may be the original paint underneath. You may be able to carefully remove the outer layers of paint to reveal the original layers below, if they were not sanded down pryor to the repainting. Check with your local paint store to find out what chemicals will allow you to remove the paint one layer at a time.
Andy
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Answers by Expert:
Terry V Andreasen (Andy)
Expertise
Safe and Vault related Questions; Antique Safe Repair and Restoration; With over 40 years in the Safe & Vault industry, if I can't answer your question I know where to get the answer. Current Project: Restoration of two Tilton & McFarland Safes from the 1860's. Will answer Safe & Vault related questions concerning age, value, restoration, moving, opening & repairing, parts, operation and history. Note: It is not my intention to teach you to open safes or to provide information which may aid in the unlawful opening of a safe. I will not give out drill points or information which I deem inappropriate.
Experience
40 years in the Safe & Vault Industry. Service Manager for one of the largest Safe & Vault companies on the West Coast. Graduate of Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing, Safe lock Manipulation and Safe Deposit Lock Courses. Graduate of Locksmith Institute.
Certified Instructor for the California Locksmith Association teaching Basic and Advanced Lock Servicing, Basic Safe opening and Repairing.
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Graduate of Locksmith Institute 1972
Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing 1974
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Factory trained by AMSEC, MAJOR, STAR, Johnson-Pacific, Kaba-MAS, Allied-Gary, ISM, Lord, Brown Safe, EXL, Mosler, Diebold.
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