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Antique Safes/Schwab Safe

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Expert: - 1/8/2009


Question
I have a schwab safe, F1-D, S.M.N.A. Class C, fire insulated safe, with a safe within the safe. Y573693...Can you tell me if this safe has any value? It is in good condition!!

Answer
JS,

Value is very subjective.  If you are planning on using the safe at home, then yes it has value.  If you are planning on selling the safe, then you are probably going to be disappointed.  Without seeing pictures of your safe no one can tell you its value.  I see junker safes every day, that someone thinks is in "good" condition.

Send me photo's of the safe so that I can evaluate it for you.  Send them to me at:  andy@securitysafeusa.com

The label you are refering to SMNA is the old Safe Manufactures National Association.  This was a testing agency before UL began testing safes.  SMNA tested safes from the mid 1920's through the early 60's.  The F1-D designation is for record containers, the Class C designation is for 1 hour fire resistance - 350 degrees.

The safe would be tested in an oven around 1500 degrees F, for 1 hour, during which the interior temperature could not exceed 350 degrees.  The reason for this is paper products char at 412 degrees and combust at 451 degrees.  If the interior does not exceed the 350 degree mark, your documents will survive the fire.

Note:  Fire safes have limited or know burglar protection, and as such should not be used for overnight storage of cash, jewelry, guns, or valuable, important documents.

Based on the labels on the safe your safe would have probably been built in the 1930's to 1950's and does not classify as an antique.  Generally fire safes from this are worth around $0-$300 depending on their condition, size, etc.

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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