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Antique Safes/old cary safe

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Expert: - 8/6/2008


Question
hello, I have the opportunity to buy a cary safe from the place where i work for 300.00 dollars. it is a double door safe and measures 48"wide 30"deep and 69"tall we are guessing that it weighs 2500lbs. it is in fair shape and is being used and works ok,is it worth the trouble to have one restored i,am sure it will cost a lot please let me know your thoughts

Answer
Hello Thomas,

Yes your safe is probably around 2500#.  It may be necessary to use special equipment and vehicles to move the safe.
If you feel the safe is in good condition and you have combo's and keys to all the locks then $300 is an excellent price.

Restoration can take a number of different directions; for instance:
1.  you could do the work your self, it will take longer but you will save substantial dollars.
2.  you could see about having a local high school or community college art department take on the safe as a restoration project.  Similarly the wood shop may do the interior as a restoration project.
Again, may take time, but the results will probably be satisfactory and could save you some money.
3.  Use professional painters and cabinet makers to do the work, least amount of time but could run into several thousand dollars.  Safe will probably be in the best condition and may be worth more than the restoration costs.

In any case, any restoration or refurbishment that you do will increase the potential value of the safe.

The question "is it worth the trouble?", is relative to what you expect out of the project.  If you are looking for something special for your house or business as a "display / conversation" piece it may be worth it.  If you are looking more towards reselling it, you may be disappointed as it may take more time and you may not get your desired price in the end.

If you need us to evaluate the safe prior to your purchase, we offer two evaluations; 1.  free evaluation, send me photo's of the safe to include full shots and detail shots of the art work, locks, dials, handles, hinges, wheels, cabinetry and any thing special.
2.  $50, we provide a written evaluation, we would need more info in addition to the photo's to include sizes, documentation of the safe history if any.  This evaluation would be for insurance purposes or for documentation if you decide to by the safe for resale.

Andy
andy@securitysafeusa.com

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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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