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Antique Safes/Meilink Safes

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Expert: - 12/2/2009


Question
I work for a company that has been in business for over 70 years that is relocating and in need to remove 5 safes. 3 double door and 2 single door all in good condition.  If I could get a value of the safes, I would be able to determine if it would be more cost effective to sell the safes or scrap them for the metal. 2 of the double door safes are Meilink 1Yxxxx F1-D, 40Wx28Dx75H. 1 double door safe is a Meiling Hercules, 36Wx28Dx71H. 2 single door safes are Meilink, 26Wx28D60H.  Any help on the specifications and estimate value would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Jim,

Without seeing the safes, I cannot give you a value!  Basically all of the safes that you are describing are fire resisitive safes.  These safes are constructed from thin sheet steel with thick walls of fire resistant insulation.  Scrap yards are not going to be interested in items like this unless you take the time to strip the insulation from the steel.  This is not only cost prohibitive, but you will spend more time and effort than you will make off this deal!

Also, based on your descriptions, all of these safes are over 50 years old which means that they do not meet current standards for burglary or fire standards and should not be used for overnight storage of cash, jewelery, or valuable documents.  These safes are not antiques and they are not collectibles.

While they do have value and are sell-able, Don't plan on making a fortune off of these safes.  If you were to call us up to sell them,  We would "charge" you to haul them away and dispose of them.

Sorry.  If you still need a value for each safe - send me several photos of each one, and I'll be more specific and give you a suggested retail price for each one.

Andy
andy@securitysafeusa.com

Antique Safes

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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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