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Antique Safes/Value of safe?

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Expert: - 9/9/2008


Question
I have an old safe that I would like to know the age and value of.  There is gold colored "hand painted" lettering on the front door of the safe that reads:

E.C. Morris Safe Company
        Boston

Jas H. Ashmead & Son, Agents
         Hartford, CT

The safe is painted black and has big caster wheels. It appears to be the original paint. It measures 37" tall, 26 " wide, and 23" deep.  The interior is open and has no shelves.  There is a 3 digit combination lock on the door, and a Tee turn handle. I do have the combination and it seems to function well. Inside, the door also has gold lettering: E.C. Morris Safe Company  Boston

Also, is there a market for such an item?  I'm not sure where to advertise this to sell it.  From what I have researched and found, it appears to have been made in the mid 1800's?

Thanks - Michele

Answer
Michele,

Edward Crosby Morris was born in Norwich, VT on June 18th 1844.  He eventually moved to Boston where he engaged in the sale of safes, forming a partnership with W.C. Ireland, under the name of the Morris and Ireland Safe Co.,
In 1890, Mr. Ireland retired and Mr. Morris continued the business under the name E. C. Morris and Company.  In 1893  the E.C. Morris Safe company was organized with $250,000 in capital, and a factory was erected at Readville, Ma with Mr. Morris as the Treasurer and General Manager.
In September of 1896, the E.C. Morris Safe Co., began to reduce its work force, shutting its doors indefinitely in December 1896.

This gives us a three year period in which your safe was probably made, 1893 to 1896.

The safes were basically a record safe, with fire resistant capabilities.
The name "Jas H. Ashmead & Son, Agents, Hartford, CT" was probably the original owner of the safe, or at the least an owner at some time.

Depending on the condition of your safe it is probably worth $250-$500.  They did not make a lot of safes at this company but the safes were very similar in construction to most of the other safes produced at this time.

I would have to see pictures to give you a better evaluation of your safe.  You have a neat little safe that would make a nice conversation piece in your home or a business.

Andy
andy@securitysafeusa.com

Antique Safes

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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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