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Antique Safes/Ratner Safe Valuation Reqd for antique colector

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Expert: - 10/21/2009


Question

Ratner door, Ratner In
Hi I Have inherited a RATNER Free Standing Safe.( Approx 50 cm wide, 50 cm across & 63cm tall) Key & door handle operated in working order with interior drawers & keys.Brass Plaque intact. Exterior paint - brown / maroon scratched. Condition Fair to Good. Model unknown. Purchased 1900's to 1930's. Can you suggest value for sale to enthusiast / antique collector. 3 x Pictures attached. Your expertise & reply appreciated. John Stodel South Africa

Answer
John,

Unfortunately very few of these safes ever made it to the USA so I don't have much to compare it to.  Based on the information that you have provided, and the one photo attached I would have to give you the following evaluation:

Fire & Burglary     $0     This safe does not meet current burglary or fire resistance standards and should not be used for overnight storage of cash, jewelry or valuable documents.
Retail              $500-$800
Collectible         $500-$800     (age 50-100 years old)
Antique             $0     This safe does not appear to over 100 years old.
While Ratner Safe Company was established in 1784 (they moved to Australia in 1963), the safe does not appear to be one of their older ones.

Note:  the above prices would be for the safe, if it was for sale in the United States.  Pricing in South Africa may be much different based on the availability of similar safes, or because of the uniqueness of your safe.

Hope this helps.

Andy
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you for your prompt response & information. For you info. It would seem that The website email response facility only allows for one picture to be attached.I sent three, one of which you received. Perhaps you can take this up with allexperts.com for the future. Again thanks for your time , effort & expert knowledge. John Stodel South Africa


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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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