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Antique Safes/Beautiful safe, need some parts.

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Expert: - 12/31/2008


Question

Hall's Lock & Safe Co.
Terry
I'm trying to open this safe but the threads in the handle are almost gone and wont hold at all.  The safe was restored about 20 years ago and gifted to me.  I believe it is very close to original, yes/no?  I'm missing the decorative hinge pieces and could use a handle or how to repair what I have.  I was told it is Halls Lock & Safe Co. dated 1880 and came out of an old bordello in Eureka NV. Can only seem to include one pic, have pics of the handle if needed.  Any help is appreciated.
Mark

Answer
Mark,

Hall's was in business from the 1840's through 1892, when the company merged with two other companies to form Herring-Hall & Marvin Safe company.  The decorative trim around the edge of the safe is from the earlier Hall's safes.  I'm not sure when they actually discontinued use of the safe, but looking at your safe, I would estimate the safe was manufactured earlier than 1880.  A good place to look would be the dial, some had the patent dates for the lock inscribed on the dial, the safe would have been manufactured after these dates.  This is not always hard and true as the dial & lock may have been replaced as part of repairs during the last 100 years.

The Paint job is very nice, similar to original, but with much more use of colors.  The oil painting on the original Halls, didn't "JUMP" out at you as this one does.  Very vibrant colors.  I'm sure that if Mr. Hall saw this paint job he would approve.

As far as the history goes, unless you have documentation.  It's kind of hard to believe it came from Eureka, NV as Eureka is basically just a crossroads.  If you blink while driving through it you will miss it, but it does make an interesting story.  Without any documentation, keep it as a story!  If you try to sell the safe, don't advertise it as a historic safe, without the back up!

One of the problems with replacing the Acorns (decorative hinge pieces) is the threading.  Many of these threads were hand made.  We can have replacement Acorns made for your safe, but we will need samples of the threading to ensure the fit.  I'm currently having 8 Acorns made for a MacNeale & Urban Safe that is being restored.  The cost for 8 polished stainless steel acorns is almost $1000.  If you have them made out of polished brass, the cost could be substantially less.  Chrome or Nickle plating is expensive also.

The handles need to be repaired.  If you can't get the safe opened, you will probably need a safe tech to open the safe.  Once the safe is open, the handles should be removed and repaired or replaced.  New handles can be fabricated just like the Acorns mentioned above.

Unfortunately this site will only allow you to upload one photo.  If you need to send me more or you need to contact me concerning repairs to your safe please do.

Andy
andy@securitysafeusa.com
800-326-4224
Hayward, CA

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

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