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Antique Safes/Approx Value Old Safe

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Expert: - 4/9/2009


Question

California Special - S
I am trying to value an old safe that was my Grandfathers for estate purposes.  He was a pharmacist in the San Francisco area around the turn of the century.  The safe is marked "California Special, Factory Agent, I. Freeman, San Francisco". I have the combination and can open the safe.  It is missing the pin on the upper hinge. Thank you!

Answer
Cara,

The safe is actually a "Victor Safe & Lock Co.," safe.  The "California Special, Factory Agent, I. Freeman, San Francisco" was probably added on by the sales agent.  This was done as an "advertisement" for the sales agent.

We never rate safes with out seeing the safe.  In order to rate or evaluate your safe I am going to need pictures of the safe.  Evaluation photos should consist of full exterior / interior views, and detail photos of the dial, handles, hinges & acorns, wheels or castors, locks and bolt work, cabinetry, art work and any special details or damage.  Photos should be high resolution digital pics, to allow me to zoom in, to study in detail the safe you are requesting evaluation of.  
Note:  The evaluation, based on the following criteria, is our evaluation, not yours.  Everyone thinks that their little rust bucket is a star.  We try to be as unbiased as possible when evaluating and offering possible restoration options to you.

Send the photos of the safe to andy@securitysafeusa.com

Replacement hinge "Acorns" are not available.  My recommendation would be to have replacements made, depending on the machinist and the material the acorns are made from, the cost can be from $75 to $125 per acorn.

Send me the requested pictures,

Andy

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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