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Antique Safes/Info on old safe

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Expert: - 10/30/2009


Question

Old Safe
The previous homeowners left a safe in our basement (too heavy to move). It works, although the lock is a little touchy. Inside the door is printed "The Asbestos King". The lock knob is inscribed with "Pat applied for" and the handle has the number 1410 inscribed on it. I'd like to know more about it, when it may have been manufactured and by whom, if it really has asbestos in it, an approximate value and who might want to buy such a safe.

Answer
Marianne,

They may have left it because it was too heavy for them to move, or because of the asbestos.  Chances are it does have asbestos has an insulation material, this isn't a bad thing as asbestos is a very good insulator.
Don't pay too much attention to the "eco-nazis" who run around screaming "The sky is falling, the sky is falling", to them everything is a disaster waiting to happen.  Properly controled their is nothing wrong with asbestos, in fact unless you are inhaling airborne asbestos it has virtually no health hazards.
You will want to inspect your safe to insure that there is no loose residue that may become airborne, clean it up immediatly if you find it.

In order to identify, evaluate or appraise your safe, I'm going to need photos.  They should include full exterior and interior.  Detail photos should include pictures of the dial, handles, hinges, artwork, locks, bolt work, castors, cabinetry and any special details or damage.  Note:  You may have to remove the back panel on the door to gain access to the lock & bolt work – I will need these pics.  If you have a particular detail that you have a question about, I will need a photo of it.

Please use as high a resolution as possible.  Pictures which are low resolution, out of focus, or from a distance don’t help when we try to evaluate the container.  Note:  with higher resolution, you may only be able to send 2-4 pictures per email, depending on the size of the file.  If photos are larger than 2mb each, you may only be able to send two per email.

Please send all of the requested photos to:  andy@securitysafeusa.com

Our informal evaluation is at no charge, however if you need a formal evaluation or appraisal for insurance, estate sales, or to establish it as an antique, there is an administrative fee for this service.

After we get a chance to evaluate the safe, we will try to set a value, unfortunately, I can already tell you that with the asbestos, it is going to limit the "resale" value of the safe, and you will want to disclose the fact that the safe "may" have asbestos when you sell it.  Without testing the insulation to be positive, you would sell it "as is" with the possibility of asbestos.

You may also want to research the way asbestos is looked upon in your community.  In some locations, it is considered a hazourdous material, and you may not be allowed to sell it.  You may have to pay a substantial fee for disposal if this is the case.  But lets cross that bridge when we come to it.

Send me the requested pics and I'll try to ID the safe for you.

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

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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