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Antique Safes/Mosler safe

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Expert: - 10/24/2009


Question

Safe pic
Hello Terry,

I'm wondering if you can provide me with any additional information on a safe I recently found built into the wall of my closet in an old building in Chicago.  

The only information I have on the safe is that it is Mosler brand with an ID number of 12371-30.  It's about a foot tall and a foot wide.  I can't tell how deep it is.  I've attached a picture here.
Do you know when it would have been made and what the best approach would be for trying to open it?  Would Mosler keep records of combinations... would a locksmith be able to open it... ?

Any additional information you can give me would be much appreciated.  

Thank you!
Laura

Answer
Laura,

This is a "Mosler-Protectall" hinged round door.  Circa 1940-1949. Mosler went out of business in 2001, there are no records of any of the combinations by serial number available.

I do not recommend your using a locksmith for several reasons, first being they generally don't have the training, second they will probably ruin the safe opening it, and third, because they don't have the training it may take them several days, for which they expect to be paid - an exorbant amount!

A trained safe technician can open the safe and repair it in around 2 hours, cost will be $350-$500.  There should be no damage that can't be repaired and the only part that should have to be replaced may be the dial.  Parts are not available as this door is obsolete, so I do not recommend your using someone who is not familiar with this type of door.

This lock can be manipulated by a trained safe technician, though manipulation is not guaranteed and you will be paying for the service, not the result.  I generally will not waste more than 15-30 minutes if I'm not finding something I'm happy with.  Some safe men will waste the entire day manipulating, so you need to have some understanding on where to draw the line between having it manipulated and drilled.  The safe tech should be able to tell you, "if I haven't got some numbers within XXX minutes, then we will abandon manipulation in favor of drilling".  They should also be able to give you "up front costs" so that you can make an informed decision about the method and $$$ that you are willing to spend.

If you have any questions concerning their proposals, ask me for advice before you contract with them, not afterwards.  

Andy  
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentI really appreciate the timely and thorough response Terry! I think it is great that you and your colleagues are willing to take the time to share your knowledge and expertise with strangers. Thank you!! Laura


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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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