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Expert: - 9/2/2008


Question

Old safe
My aunt who is 93 has this old safe in her house. We are needing to make a decision about what to do with it.  It is in Illinois and we live in Tennessee. Her house is up for sale due to health issues. Any information about the safe would be helpful?  Age, approx. weigh for transporting, value, manufacturer. We have the combination but the keys for a lock box inside were thrown away. All I have is this picture of the outside.  Thanks! Carolyn

Answer
Carolyn,

The safe you have, appears to be a York.  York Safe & Lock Co., was established in 1882.  They began to falter in the late 1930's and early 1940's.  Shortly after the death of the owner (S. Forry Laucks) in 1942 the Navy stepped into operate the company as they had millions of dollars in contracts with the company.  After WWII was over the company was sold to Diebold who continued the label until the 1960's.
Your safe is approx 300-400 lbs, but because of the wheels it should be fairly easy to move.
The keys can be made by most lock or safe companies.  If you don't have one in your area, send me the locks and we will make them.
Value is based on several items to include (but not limited to):
Condition, Age, type, history, size

Condition:
Excellent:  In like new condition
Good:  Used but in new condition
fair:  may have minor damage, damaged paint, all componentents work and are present
Poor:  damage, locked, no combo, original paint has been painted over, broken wheels, damaged or missing locks, etc.

Type:
Bankers/Jewelers - prefered but extremely heavy
Cast Iron fire safes - not as desireable, more available / smaller size and weight makes it more desireable

History:
Unless you have documentation or photos the safe has no history.  If your aunt has owned the safe for many years and she has stories to go along with it, you should document them while you have the chance as this will make the safe more interesting and thus more desireable.

Overall, without seeing anything else, you have a nice safe, age approximately 1900-1920, the art work is in very nice condition.
estimated resale value $250-$500.
With more info and better photos the estimate may go up, but without full restoration, which would cost more than the safe is worth, max value would be $600-$1000.  You might have to sit on the safe for awhile in order to find a buyer willing to go for the higher price.

If you decide to keep it you need to understand that the safe does not meet current burglary or fire protection standards and is not recommended for storage of valuables.
It would however make a lovely end table conversation piece and/or a small wine locker for those red wines that like a dark, controlled temperature climate.

Andy
andy@securitysafeusa.com

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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