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Antique Safes/serial number on old safe

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Expert: - 12/12/2009


Question

Diebold safe
Thank you for taking questions Terry since I have one no one seems to be able to answer. I recently aquired a safe, a Diebold safe with a date on it of 1871. I will attatch a picture of it. My question is, where can I find the serial number on such a safe in order to get a combo for it? As you can tell it looks to be painted many times over so if I had a location to look it would make life easier. Thank you so much for your answer.

Answer
Robert,

I don't know if your safe will have a serial number on the outside.  The last safe I saw similar to yours had the serial number stamped on the bolt work mechanism - inside the door!  The only access to it would be with the door open and the access panel opened.

Also, I don't believe the handle on your safe is original.  I have never seen a Diebold cannonball with a handle similar to this.  Is this something you came up with or did you acquire the safe with the "round" handle?

You can contact Diebold for more info, but they usually arn't much help.  www.diebold.com or 1-800-diebold (for service information).  I don't believe that they will have a combination that will work, even if you find a serial number.

Your next step would of course be to contact a professional safe technician to have the safe opened.  I DO NOT recommend locksmiths as they generally do not have the training for a safe like this (or any other safe for that matter)!  And most of the smaller safe companies will not be able to help you much.  This pretty much limits you down to one of the larger safe companies that also employees a professional service staff.  There are also a number of private individuals throughout the country that "sub-contract" for safe and vault work.  Some of these individuals are extremely well trained and capable of opening your safe.  The caveate of course, is the better trained or equiped, the more expensive they will be.  If price is a concern, then you should be willing to accept a certain amount of damage.

I wish I had better news for you.  If you need a referal let me know where you and or the safe are located and I'll see who I know in your area.

Andy
andy@securitysafeusa.com

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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