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Antique Safes/Old Mosler Vault Door

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Expert: - 12/8/2009


Question
So I'm looking at buying a vault door and I found something I think I should stay away from, but cannot decipher all the info to be sure.  Here's what I've got:

-  Mosler name plate on front
-  Label that says it's fire rated for 4 hours
-  Labels that say: Manual of burglary insurance classification
mercantile safe policy B  Money and securities broad form policy B,built to comply with spec -3 - (y27960 ) Safe manufactures
national association  .

Base on this, I think the safe is old, but not an antique and buying it expecting functionality would just be asking for trouble.

Thoughts?

Answer
Michael,

Not necessarily!  It would depend on what you are going to use it for, and whether it is operational or not.

Without a serial number, I can't give you a date for your vault door, but I can give you some info based on the SMNA labels that you have provided.  

SMNA rated safes from the mid 1920's up until the early 1960's (around 1962).  This would indicate that your door is at least 47 years old.  Generally I advise that safes and equipment that are over 50 years old do not meet current fire or burglary standards and should not be used for overnight storage of cash, jewelry or valuable documents.

An SMNA spec. F3, class "4 hour" vault door was one of the higher ratings for fire protection.  
The "B" burglary classification is the lowest rating given to safes.  This would be any safe with a steel or iron door less than 1" thick, and steel or iron walls less than 1/2" thick.  This could be any size less than those indicated, but is generally 1/2" thick doors with 1/4" thick walls.

If the door is in good shape and it operates correctly, and you are going to use it as a storage room at a residence, then I would say that it has potential.  If it doesn't operate correctly, or you are using it for more commercial purposes then I would recommend steering clear of it.

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

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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