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Antique Safes/Samuel Withers Safe

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Expert: - 1/24/2009


Question

Samuel Withers Safe
Hi Terry, i saw a Samuel Withers 1-door safe and i would like to know if this is
an original Withers. Safe looks in good condition. Any idea about the
manufacturing date and the Class of Resistants? The Manual is in Thai Language
and it shows a symbol from Hipkins!

Answer
Thomas,

It may be an original Withers safe, but it has been modified, which is probably the reason it has a "THAI" manual with it.

For a history of Withers safes, you can check out:  http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/locks/gazetteer/withers/withers.ht...

First off,  the majority of english made safes do not use combination style locks - even today these have not caught on, like they did in the US.
Second, S. Withers was established around 1855.  The majority of safes manufactured through the 1880's used key locks only.  The switch to combo locks again, took off slowly.

I also doubt that Hipkins had any thing to do with the retrofit.  This safe was probably exported at sometime.  Many safes from England made there way to Singapore, and then on to other countries.  Someone probably had the "brilliant" idea that the combo lock would make it more secure, or it was the result of repair efforts after someone lost the keys to the safe.

Manufacturing date would have been around 1860-1870.  It was not built to any burglary or fire standards and does not fall into any "class" of resistants.
This safe should be considered a modified antique and should only be used as a display item.  It should not be used for overnight storage of any valuables, cash, jewelry, or guns.

Andy

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

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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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