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Antique Safes/History/Age of Hall's Safe

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Expert: - 12/30/2009


Question

  Hi, I recently got a safe from a relative that had been drilled to open and I have since been able to figure out the combination. I have 3 question concerning the safe. The safe has "Hall's Safe & Lock Co." painted on the front door and "Hall's Pat. 1849" painted on the inside of the door. The door lock handle has the serial no. 23543 on it. Can you tell me an aproximate date of this safe by this number.
   Also, the dimensions of the safe are.... 21 deep, 22 wide and 27 high (not including the wheels height) The walls and door are about 5 inches thick. What would you estimate the weight of the safe to be?
   Lastly, I would love to more on the history of this safe! On the front outside of the door painted across the bottom is "Breast, Gibson & Co. Agents, Nashville, Tenn" Do you have any suggestions on how I may find out more about the original owners? Thank you so much for your time and expertise!

                Brad

Answer
Brad

Based on your serial number, your safe would have been built around 1858-1860

The weight will probably be around 600-750 lbs.

Basic History:

Joseph Hall began manufacturing safe around 1846, forming the "Hall's Safe & Lock Company" in 1848.  Shortly after his death in 1889, the company merged with the Herring Safe Company and the Marvin Safe Company to form "Herring-Hall-Marvin Safe Company (HHM) in 1892.

Generally the original owners name would have been painted on the top edge of the front of the safe, if not, then I doubt you are going to find anything about them.

If you search Nashville, TN business archives, you may find out somemore info concerning the distributor, which may help with the dates of the safe.  There may be a record of sales also.

Good luck,

Andy

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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

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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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