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Antique Safes/Value of Hall's safe

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Expert: - 9/1/2008


Question

Hall's Safe --DSC02242
My description is partly based on memory. It is in storage. The safe is about 40 inches high by 25 inches deep and wide. It is on castors (?) wheels that may be about 6" in  diameter. It has one door with what may be nickel hinges or hinge covers. The tumbler is missing. The handle is a lever -- also nickel. The metal over all is trimmed with what looks like handpainting --Trees-- but could be decals. There is a plate on the inside of the door that is also painted. On the front it says Hall's Safe & Lock Co., Cincinnati. If it has a date, I don't remember seeing one. Inside there are wood compartments. There is red cloth, but the wood is visible. The top is a recessed panel -- as I think the sides are, but otherwise smooth. Can you give me a value -- or even a ballpark so I know what I have, whether to use it for an end table, or sell it? (A little tall, but it is cool.)

Answer
Kathleen,

The picture is a little dark so it is hard to get an idea of the condition.

There were two Hall's safe companies.  The first was started around 1846 by Joseph Hall.  He died in 1889 and the company merged with two other companies in 1892 to form the Herring-Hall & Marvin safe company.  Two of Joseph's sons went with the merger but after a couple of years they left to form a new "Hall's" safe company.  There was a court battle that lasted for several years over the use of the name "Hall's".  In the end the sons won out, but were not allowed to use the plural version of the name "Hall's".

As your safe is a "Hall's Safe & Lock Co.,", I would assume that it was from the first company.  This would put the age somewhere between 1846 & 1892, probably towards the latter years as this is when the majority of the safes were manufactured.

Rating Antique Value is based on several things, such as (but not limited to):
1.  Condition:  (excellent, good, fair, poor)
2.  Age
3.  Manufacture
4.  Type:  (Fire, Data, Burglary (bankers or jewelers)
5.  Construction methods:  (sheet steel, cast iron, composite, heavy steel/manganese)
6.  Size / Weight
7.  Art work  (original/refurbished/restored)
8.  History:  (documented with and without photo’s)
9.  Purpose of resale -  as an antique or for use as “___“

Condition is based on different levels such as:
Excellent - Like new / out of the box
Good - Used but in like new condition/all parts available and work
fair - minor damage, paint scratches, combo's and keys are available and/or doors are locked open.  Interior has minor damage.
Poor - Locked missing combo or keys, missing parts (ie locks, wheel packs) major damage, safe has been repainted over existing paint.  Interior damage, drawers missing, locks damaged, missing, etc.

The type of safe can change the value dramatically as Bankers & Jewelers safes are more sought after than cast iron record safes.

Purpose of "use"  If you are going to refurbish the safe and use it as an antique the value will be more than if you were going to use it as a "safe".  The reason being the safe was built 100 years ago, it would not stand up to current fire and burglary standards at all.

Without seeing better quality pictures of the safe it is difficult to answer the question concerning value, however that being said, and noting the fact that the lock tumblers are missing, this would put the safe into the fair to poor range or $0-$300.

If the safe has documented history and/or if you restored it to original condition you could significantly improve the value of the safe.

If you really like the safe, and it isn't in the way, it would make a great end table/conversation piece.  If the inside is serviceable and not in too bad shape, you could use it as a small wine cabinet for those red wines that like the dark and a constant temperature.

If you decide to restore it I have some ideas that will be of help to you, but unless it is a really unique safe and/or you are really in love with it, you should plan on spending more than it is worth.

Andy
andy@securitysafeusa.com

    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 9Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentI have a much better idea now, Thanks.


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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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