You are here:

Antique Safes/Howe Gibraltar Safe

Advertisement

Expert: - 12/1/2008


Question

Gilbraltar safe
Hi, I bought recently a antique safe with the inscription of Howe Scale Ohio with a Gibraltar logo in the front of the safe. I would like to know how old is the safe. On the arm of the front door, there a number "28 2041" that should represent may be a serial number.

Thanks for you help

Pierre

Answer
Pierre,

Nice looking safe,  I would like to see some better pictures of it to help Identify it.

The Howe Scale Co., was in business from 1856-1961, in Cincinnatti, Ohio.  They sold business equipment to include "safes".  They were not a manufacture, but were more of a "distributor" of equipment.  Many companies like the Howe Scale Co., would put their name or logo on equipment they did not manufacture as a means of advertising, in fact the Howe Scale Co., was embroiled in a heated law suit in the late 1800's over that issue (with other products).

Your safe looks like a Herring-Hall & Marvin (HHM) safe.  HHM was the result of a merger of three safe companies in 1892.  They continued until they were purchased by Diebold in the late 1950's and closed out in the early 1960's.
Based on your serial number it would place your safe around 1910-1920.  Check one of the hinge acorns, hold it in your hand, if it is of heavy cast material the safe would be from before WWI, If the acorn is of a light weight sheet brass or tin type material it would be post WWI and Pre WWII.

To fully identify it I will need full interior/exterior pictures and detail photos of the dial, handle, hinges, castors, locks and bolt work, cabinetry, art work and any special details.

Send the photo's to my email address below:

andy
andy@securitysafeusa.com
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentMy questions were perfectly answered by Terry. Thanks Pierre


  • Add to this Answer
  • Ask a Question

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.