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Antique Safes/American Vault Lock & Safe Co.

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Expert: - 12/22/2009


Question

Worn part
Hi Terry,

 My Father has an old American Vault Lock and Safe Co. safe. He has it for over 40 years, and it worked until recently. The combination just stopped working. Luckily he was able to get it open one last time. Unfortunately he decided to remove the combination mechanism and installed a hasp and lock on it.
 He showed me the damage he did after he did it. (He was proud that he was able to drill the safe, so what could I say. At his age I guess it is ok?) Any way, after doing some research, I read many articles from your site. I know the lock mechanism can be fixed. I’m not so sure about the holes my Father drilled.
 The name of the safe is stamped in the center of the combination handle. The picture of the part that I am holding in my fingers is the part that is worn out. Can I purchase this part, or do I need to replace the entire combination mechanism? If the parts can be purchased can you give me the names of a few suppliers?

Thanks,
  Mike

PS   Try not to hurt yourself laughing so hard.


Answer
Mike,

Sorry, I can't make out the part in the photo.  Try taking the pics from a couple of different angles, and make sure they are in focus.  Also take a photo of the name of the safe you are referencing and the lock.  The more pics I have, the easier to get an idea of your problem.

The only American Vault, lock & safe company that I'm aware of is a distributor not a manufacture.

Send the pics directly to me at:  andy@securitysafeusa.com

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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