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I have a safe that I am thinking of selling and I would like to know how much you think the safe is worth. It belonged to my grandfather and he had it as long as I can remember and I am 60 years old. From the picture you can read it says YORK SAFE AND LOCK CO. YORK, PA. The combination lock still works good. That is about all the info I have on it. Any info would be helpful. Thanks!
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Josie,
Your York Safe is from the 1930's to 1940's and is basically just a record safe, designed to protect paper from fire or excessive heat. It is a light weight, thin wall construction as opposed to the earlier heavy, thick wall, cast iron construction, which makes it less desirable.
It is a nice size, which makes it more "sellable". It does not meet any current standards for burglary or fire protection and should not be used for overnight storage of valuables, cash, jewelry, weapons, etc.
Current retail value is $0-$100. Because of its age and dates of manufacture and style, it does not meet antique qualifications yet.
If you are thinking of selling it you should have three prices in mind: the price you are asking, the price you want and the price you will accept. For this safe, I would suggest $450, $300 and $150.
Other alternatives would be to keep it, as it does have some family significance. I would suggest purchasing a new current style safe for protection of your valuables and documents. This safe should be retired and used as a collectors item, a conversation piece or for display. It could also be used as a cigar humidor or a nice wine locker for those red wines that like a dark, constant temperature storage area. Installing a nice wooden cabinet inside would accomplish these tasks and would add to the over all value of the safe, especially if you decide to sell it.
Hope this helps
Andy
andy@securitysafeusa.com
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| Comment | Thank you for your prompt and clear information and giving us information piece of mind as to what kind of safe we have. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
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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