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Antique Safes/Safe cabinet co. safe

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Expert: - 4/15/2009


Question
I have a safe; It's about 5 1/2 feet tall with double doors and crown mold along top & bottom of safe. the brass lock says "SAFE CABINET COMPANY, MARIETTA, OHIO" and is a Sargent & Greenleaf. There are three olive green drawers inside across the top that lock with a small key. I would like to restore it by taking the correct steps. My questions are; What the age might be, (It was repainted some years back) What paint should i use, was there any lettering or pin stripes, can i replace the wheels? Any advice would be appreciated. If you would like i could send pictures. Thank you.

Answer
Dale,

The Safe Cabinet company was in business from 1905 to about 1926.  They basically made office furniture types of safes for record protection only.  They were made out of thin sheet metal and were not designed to last.  They used several different types of insulation material including asbestos.

Your safe does not fall into the antique or collectible category, and because of the potential of the asbestos it has very little resale value.  The chances of these safes gaining value as they get older is slim.

With the above in mind, if your safe is in good working condition, don't worry about restoring it as it will not improve the value.  Instead just make it look nice.  If you are happy with the safe, none of the above matters.

I wouldn't hesitate to remove the interior and install some nice cabinetry.  You can use the safe as a display.  

Instead of paying for an expensive oil painting, find a nice reproduction poster of scenery that you enjoy, cut out the best section and laminate it onto the safe.  you can free hand pin strip the safe, or possibly find decal pin stripping at an automotive store.  When you are finished spray on several coats of a "clear coat" and enjoy your creation.

My wife re-did a Schwab cast iron safe a few years ago.  she sanded and revarnished the interior wood.  She painted the exterior banding black and the body of the safe pink.  She found a poster of a beautiful castle, which she cut out in an oval shape, glued onto the front of the safe, and when clear coated it was a beautiful restoration.  The handles were black onyx and the hinge acorns and the dial were polished brass.  After she got finished with it, she sold it for $350.  

Hope this gives you some ideas.

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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