You are here:

Antique Safes/mosler safe

Advertisement

Expert: - 11/9/2008


Question
acquired old mosler safe. said to be from 20s or 30s. can't find ser# or tags. safe is 43"w 31"d 73"h on wheels. double outer and double inner doors. appears to be cement filled. what is the black autobody filler type stuff on the sides, back and top? its all cracked, loose and falling off. can i use autobody filler (bondo) to redo the sides, back and top? thanks dave  

Answer
Dave,

The serial number is usually on the handle of the older safes.  Unless your safe has had major damage in the past and been repaired it shouldn't have "body filler" on the sides and top.  The skin of the safe would have been painted sheet steel.
The interior of the walls would have been a gypsum/masonry/plaster of paris type mix for heat resistance.  Concrete repair material can be used to repair cracks in this.
If the outer skin has been repaired with a bondo type material, I don't believe that will adhere correctly to masonry, which probably explains why it is cracking and falling off.
After repairing, and fairing the concrete/masonry, install new sheet steel plates on the sides and tops.  This will give you a smooth surface to paint the safe.  Prepaint the underside with a rust preventative before securing it to the safe.

I'm not sure what other damage your safe has so without seeing it or pictures, it is hard to give you a detailed restoration plan.

Hope this helps,

Andy

Antique Safes

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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. Factory Trained by AMSEC, LORD Safes, LeFebure, Mosler, KabaMas, LaGard and Sargent & Greenleaf

Organizations
Safecrackers International and the National Antique Safe Association

Education/Credentials
Graduate of Locksmith Institute 1972 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing 1974 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Manipulation 1975 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Deposit Lock Servicing 1985 Instructor Certified - California Locksmith Association - 1985 Factory trained by AMSEC, MAJOR, STAR, Johnson-Pacific, Kaba-MAS, Allied-Gary, ISM, Lord, Brown Safe, EXL, Mosler, Diebold.

Awards and Honors
2009, 2010 & 2011 Listed in AllExperts top 50 Experts. All Experts Categories - Safes & Security Containers, Locksmithing, Antique Safes. Retired US Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer (CW3), with 32 years of total service. With numerous awards from Vietnam, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. US Navy - 1971-1981 US Army Reserve 1984-2006 US Army Retired Reserve 2006-present

Past/Present Clients
US Secret Service, FBI, BATF, Local Law enforcment agencies, Diebold, Hamilton Pacific, Red Hawk Int., Chubb International, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, Mechanics Bank, El Dorado Savings Bank, many Credit unions and smaller banks. McDonalds, Togos, BurgerKing, TacoBell, Carls Jr. FoodMaxx, SaveMart, Lucky's, Albertson's, Raley's, Safeway, NobHill, Bell Markets, PW Markets. Great America, Century Theatres, Cinemark Theatres, UA Cinemas, and many homeowners and small businesses. Provide warranty service for lock and safe manufactures. Service area is Northern California - Fresno to Oregon, including western Nevada

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.