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Antique Safes/Hilliard Harrison fire proof safe

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Expert: - 10/17/2009


Question
I am in possession of a Hilliard Harrison fire proof safe.  It is on wheels, about three feet high, 2 1/2 feet wide and deep.  It is approximately 300 - 500 pounds.  I has a combination lock.  I was given a list of combinations for what the person thought was this particular brand of safe.  There isn't much information on the internet about this brand of safe.  I know that the company is no longer in business.  The safe originally belonged to a woman who was born in the early 1900's.  Do you know of anyone or company that could possibly open this safe?  Is there any way that I could get into the safe?

Thank you in advance for taking the time to offer an answer.

Answer
Jennifer,

I don't have any information on "Hilliard Harrison" safes.  This may not be the manufacture, it may have been an owner or distributor.  I will need to see photos of the safe to try to identify it.  Where did you get the name of Hilliard Harrison?

You mentioned the woman the safe originally belonged to, this may be a start to find out more about the safe.  If she is not alive, her relatives may have information that will help you.

You didn't provide me with your location or the location of the safe, so its a little difficult to provide you with a referral.  You can check in your local yellow pages under "safes & vaults - opening & repairing" for a safe company in your area.
Note:  I don't recommend your using a locksmith as they don't have the necessary training and can easily ruin your safe.

Send your photos to me at:  andy@securitysafeusa.com,  don't forget to remind me what your email is about.

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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