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Antique Safes/Murphy wall safe

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Expert: - 4/19/2009


Question

Murphy safe
I found this safe during the remodeling of a 100+ year old home in Joliet IL. The homeowner allowed me to keep it. I am searching for any information you may be able to provide. The label on the front says "The Murphy Wall Safe Co." The latch knob says "The Murphy Door Bed Co- Chicago USA. pat. Jan 3 1922. I hope you can help me with info on combination, age, rarity, value and so on. thank you in advance.

Answer
Eryc,

Sorry, you have about as much information as I do concerning these little safes.  They as with the beds were made for hotels that didn't offer lots of space.  You basically had a closet for a room, and everyone on the same floor used the same "bathroom" facilities.

They were manufactured from the 1920's throug the late 1930's.  I usually don't consider safes less than 100 years old to be an antique, but the Murphy's would be one of the exceptions.  Average value for one of these safes right now, is running from $150-$350 depending on condition.

I wouldn't consider them "rare" as we see them on a semi-regular basis, but I would consider them vary unique, and a piece of Americana history.

There are no records of the original combinations for these safes.  The wheels are "non-changeable", so the combination that the safe orignally left the factory on would still be the combination.  I would suggest looking, very carefully around the area where the safe was found, the combination may be written down somewhere.

Andy
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you Terry, unfortunately the entire room was demo'd and thrown into a dumpster. I truly appreciate your assistance. Eryc


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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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