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Expert: - 12/8/2009


Question
I have a Safe made by the safe cabinet that says Underwriters laboratorie, Inc its 47"W x 30"d x 72"h and is very, very heavy. I am trying to find out an approximate value and what type of places might be interested in purchading one of these.

Thanks

Don

Answer
Don,

The Safe Cabinet safes were made through 1926, before being acquired by Rand-Kardex and eventually Remington Rand Corp.  They were continued as Safe Cabinet Labratories safes for a period after this.

They were designed as office products, document storage units - to provide fire protection for company documents.

These safes are not collectible, nor are they antiques.

The Safe Cabinet Company used asbestos in the manufacture of many of their cabinets and this will limit your potential buyers as most people don't want asbestos.

Value:
Fire:     $0     These cabinets do not meet current fire standards and should not be used for overnight storage of valuable documents.
Burglary: $0     these cabinets were not designed for burglary protection and should not be used for overnight storage of cash, jewelry or other valuables.
Resale:   $100-$250
Collectible:     $0     Even though this safe is over 50 years old, it is not considered a collectible.
Antique:         $0     This safe is not over 100 years old and would not be considered an antique.

Sorry, but your news isn't very good.  You may be able to sell the safe for more than I have suggested, but I would let potential buyers know that the safe potentially has asbestos as you could be held liable if it becomes an issue later on.  
If you are worried about the possiblity that your safe is one of the models with asbestos, have it tested.  Most states have facilities that offer asbestos testing.

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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