You are here:

Antique Safes/antique safe

Advertisement

Expert: - 6/27/2008


Question
My church has a Diebold safe we need to sell.  It is appr 4 feet high 2 1/2 wide and 2 feet deep, on wheels. The front door has a mural, it opens to a second door, this opens to a couple of small wooden boxes with keys and wooden slots.  On the handle the following numbers appear: 119 under that 128033.  On the combination it says Diebold Cafe & Locks Co. Canton Oh.  It is in good shape and we have the combo and keys.  Can you give us an estimate on value and do you know who we should contact regarding selling it.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Judy,

Diebold started out as the Diebold-Bahmann in 1859 and incorporated as Diebold, Inc. in 1876.  They have litterally made thousands of safes each year since then.
In order to give you an idea of the safes worth I would need to see some pictures of the safe to evaluate it and give you an age on it.  
Selling safes is one of those endeavors that depends on the condition, age, history (documented), size.
It will also depend on how motivated the seller/buyer are.  If you have lots of time to sit on it, you will eventually find a buyer that will pay your price.  On the other hand if you need to get rid of it, you may be forced into taking a much lower price.
Once you have the apprasial of the safe, you should set three prices on the safe.  First the asking price, second the price you want, third the price you will take.
Send me photo's of the face of the safe, the handles, dials, hinges, wheels, sides, interior and any specific items that stand out, artwork, wood work, etc.

Andy
andy@securitysafeusa.com

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.