Expert: Terry V Andreasen (Andy) - 11/22/2008

Question
Terry, my husband ran across a Cary Safe through a friend that was being halled to the scrap metal yard.  He intercepted it as he has a love for saving and restoring things in general.  We don't know much about safes.  This safe is 78" Height, 55" Width and 31" Depth.  It weighs Approx. 4000-5000 lbs.  The hardware handles on the door are silver in color and are stamped with the numbers 144978.  It was distributed by Richardson Safe Company, San Francisco.  I have pictures before restoration that I will try to send.  We have already painted it black, fixed it and put new oak cabinetry inside.  Do you have any idea what this is worth completely restored?  Also, should we have the same trim "pinstriping/scrolling gold leaf redone exactly as the "before" pics show?  Does it make a difference to someone in the market for a safe.  Thank you in advance. (I can't get the pics to upload)  I will work on it.

Answer
Elena,

Please send the pictures to my email address:  andy@securitysafeusa.com

The more original a safe appears, the more desireable it becomes to a potential buyer.  The fact that it is not the original paint or the original interior is not necessarily a bad thing.  Obviously an original safe in original condition would be worth far more than a refurbished safe, a refurbished safe is worth far more than an original in used condition.

Because antique safes do not meet current burglary and fire protection standards we do not recommend that they be used for overnight storage of valuables.  An antique safe that is sold as, or is purchased as a "safe" with the goal to use it as a safe, potentially lessens the value of the safe when you compare it with a modern safe that is built with those goals in mind.  With this in mind, the retail value of an antique safe as opposed to a current manufactured safe would be worth 10% of the value, if that.
On the other hand as an antique safe, with the goal to use the safe as either a display or to display other items, the safe may be worth 10 fold its retail value.

In order to rate your safe, I'm going to need photos.  They should include full exterior and interior.  Detail photos should include pictures of the dial, handles, hinges, artwork, locks, castors, cabinetry and any special details or damage.

Send the photos to:  andy@securitysafeusa.com

Rating Antique Value is based on several things, such as (but not limited to):
1.  Condition:  (excellent, good, fair, poor)
2.  Age
3.  Manufacture
4.  Type:  (Fire, Data, Burglary (bankers or jewelers)
5.  Construction methods:  (sheet steel, cast iron, composite, heavy steel/manganese)
6.  Size / Weight
7.  Art work  (original/refurbished/restored)
8.  History:  (documented with and without photo’s)
9.  Purpose of resale -  as an antique or for use as “Burglar safe or Fire safe“

Condition is based on different levels such as:
Excellent - Like new / out of the box
Good - Used but in like new condition/all parts available and work
Fair - minor damage, paint scratches, combo's and keys are available and/or doors are locked open.  Interior has minor damage.
Poor - Locked missing combo or keys, missing parts (ie locks, wheel packs) major damage, safe has been repainted over existing paint.  Interior damage, drawers missing, locks damaged, missing, etc.

The type of safe can change the value dramatically as Bankers & Jewelers safes are more sought after than cast iron record safes.

Purpose of "use"  If you are going to refurbish the safe and use it as an antique the value will be more than if you were going to use it as a "safe".  The reason being the safe was built 100 years ago, it would not stand up to current fire and burglary standards at all.

If the safe has documented history and/or if you restored it to original condition you could significantly improve the value of the safe.

If you decide to restore it, I have some ideas that will be of help to you, but unless it is a really unique safe and/or you are really in love with it, you should plan on spending more than it is worth.

Remember that the majority of these safes were built prior to cutting torches and/or most of the electrical tools that we have today.  The do not meet current burglary or fire protection standards and as such should not be used for overnight storage of valuables such as:  cash, jewelry, valuable documents, guns or computer media (discs, thumbdrives, microfiche).  

Depending on how large your safe is you could use it as an interesting conversation piece or storage and display of collectible items that you may have.  Don't be afraid to convert the interior cabinetry over to a nice display cabinet of some sort.  If you really like the safe, and it is small enough and isn't in the way, it would make a great end table/conversation piece.  If the inside is serviceable and not in too bad shape, you could convert it for use as a Humidor or small wine cabinet for those red wines that like the dark and a constant temperature.

Andy
www.securitysafeusa.com
Hayward, CA