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Antique Safes/brass handle replacement

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Expert: - 1/25/2009


Question
Safe Handles
Safe Handles  
QUESTION: I have a 1929 safe manufactured by The Safe-Cabinet Company.  I had it sand blasted and powder coated so that it would look brand new and beautiful BUT the sand blasted blasted my brass handles and now they are pitted.  Is there anyway to replace these handles?

ANSWER: Jackie,

No need to replace them, pull them from the door and take them to a plating company to have them refinished.  The plating should take care of most of the pitts and leave the handles looking new.  Cost will be around $60 per handle.  Check prices in your area.

Andy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I see absolutely no way to get the doors apart to get the handles off so it you have another idea I would appreciate it.  Also,  the drawers have brass rivets holding brass plates on.  They are small with a smooth surface (no typical rivet hole in the center)...where do you think I could find replacement rivets?

Thanks,
Jackie

Answer
Jackie,

I would have to see the doors to figure out how the handles are installed, but usually there is a small service panel on the back of the door that allows access to the lock.  Once the lock has been removed you can gain access to the nut that holds the handle on.  If you have a double door safe, the inactive door may have to have the whole back plate to the door removed to gain access to the bolt work.

These safes were not designed with service in mind, and as "inexpensively" as they were made, they were never planned to last 50 years.  This is one of the reasons we consider them "throw aways" when they come into our shop.

Brass rivets are available, but they are not standard fasteners.  You will need to check around with some fastener providers.  A couple of places to check out would be:
www.brassrivets.com
www.rivetsinstock.com
www.thomasnet.com/products/rivets-brass-bronze-68470103-1.html

You should be able to get replacement rivets, or at least something close.

Hope this helps.

Andy

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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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