You are here:

Antique Safes/HHM Safe

Advertisement

Expert: - 12/11/2009


Question

Ext Of Safe
Hello Terry, I had this safe land in my lap. It is a HHM safe and the exterior is showing surface rust.Previous owner had it stored in unheated building. Combination works and on the top it says FRANK E. NICHOLS. It is 27"D x 53h x 34 1/2W and has 4 steel wheels. The exterior murial is a sail boat and is in rough shape because of the surface rust. The murial on the inside of the door is a song bird of sort and is -fair shape. the wooden interior looks reworked as the shelves appear to be old plywood. What can you tell me about restoring? I hate to do anything until someone says it's OK to sand & paint, and look for new decals that try to match up to the old ones.I think I am interested in in just making this old safe look good for personal use, unless there is something else I should know about.
Thanks Mike

Answer
Mike,

I'm not sure what your questions are concerning the safe, but I'm sure you will enjoy the restoration work.  Have something in mind for your final goal, it will save you time in the long run.

Take lots of up close pictures of the art work and decals it will make reproduction easier.  No, there are no sources of new decals, if you want the same design you have two choices, have an artist recreate them when the safe is painted, or take your photos to a graphics design artist to have decals made.
Don't sand anything, until you are satisfied that you have all the photos that you need - get up close and personal with your pics!
An alternative to sanding would be to have the safe sand or bead blasted.  This will remove everything down to bare metal.  Paint with a rust preventative and then use a fairing compound to give it a smooth finish.  Several coast of base paint, paint your art work and/or decals and then several coats of clear coat or varnish.  Be very careful of the door edges and door jambs.  excessive paint will keep the doors from closing correctly.

Interior, plan new cabinetry that will really show of the safe.  For instance a cigar humidor and a liquor or after dinner wine cabinet with glasses are a great idea.  If you have a hobby or collection that you really want to show case, build a cabinet that works well as a display.  For instance custom drawers for a baseball collection.

Don't forget to service the hinges, castors, boltwork and locks.

Good luck with your safe.

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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.