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Expert: - 1/24/2009


Question
I have a 3-wheel S/G (Rochester, NY) inscribed with 4 patents - last on is 1877. It's a beautifil piece with every piece if brass & silver metal inscribed with patterns. It's still functional & working. Very heavy including a brass case with a glass/brass door. It came from a large bank vault door located directly next to the Octagon (1812 residence of President Madison) in Washington, DC that was being destroyed in 1969. Can you tell me it's value. I'll send a photo if necessary.

Thanks - Steve Howell

Answer
Steve,

I wish I could help you with your time lock, but its not my specialty.  I can help you with some possible directions to persue though.

First you may want to check out the book the "AMERICAN GENIUS".
David Erroll and John Erroll published this outstanding book on timelocks called American Genius - Nineteenth Century Bank Locks and Timelocks. For anyone with an interest in time locks, this is a "must have" history book. John Erroll is the curator of the John Mossman Lock Collection. This is a first class publication all the way. The history actually covers more than the 19th century, starting with the first key strong box locks and continuing into the early 20th century. There are hundreds of color photographs. The list price is a bit pricy at $95, but amazon.com is selling it for $59.

You might also check out the following web site which is devoted to time pieces.
http://global-horology.com/GHMB/index.php?sid=26f73b32ec836c8ff830746d8472b51d

or

http://www.theclockprofessor.com/antique-time-clocks.php

Unless you have documented history and photographs of the clock, and the vault door with the lock installed, where the lock came from is just an interesting story.  

Hope this has helped with a direction for you to start looking.

Andy

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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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