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Antique Safes/antique Herring, Hall & Marvin safe

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Expert: - 4/20/2009


Question

Herring safe
Can you tell me the approximate age and value of this safe? It is currently in use and I have the original papers for it's operation. I am also forwarding several pics to  since that is what I am reading in the other posts. Thank You

Answer
Janet,

Janet,



This is a cute little HHM.  Most of the problems with the safe are minor or cosmetic.  HHM was in business from 1892 until the early 1960’s.  Your safe is probably from the 1917-1930’s era.  You can check the hinge acorns, if they are a hollow metal, thin tin or brass, as they appear, this would be the correct time frame.  If they were solid cast material, the safe would be older.

I notice that you are missing an acorn, If you sent me one, I could try to match it with one of my older extras, your other option would be to have new acorns made.  Depending on the material it could cost from $75 to $135 per acorn to fabricate.  I would recommend having all four matching as it would look nicer.

If you look carefully at the paint, you will notice a very light surface “cracking”.  The actual term is “crazing”, it is caused from the varnish that was originally put on the safe to protect the paint, needing replacing.  I’m not sure what method that you would need to remove the varnish and not harm the paint.  You could check with a paint supply company, painting restoration company, or art department at a local college.  You might be able to get the art department to take it on as a restoration project.

Handle & dial re-chroming are probably around $75 per item.  You can probably just polish the plaque on the inside of the door, it should clean up nicely.

Because of the size of the safe, there wasn’t a lot of room for nice cabinetry.  You can either clean this area up to make it a little nicer, or remove everything and have a custom cabinet made that is the focal point of the safe.  If you are going to use this safe as a display item, the cabinetry should be designed around the item(s) that will be on displayed in the safe.

Minor touch up to the paint, filling in any little chips will make it look better.  When you have the paint the way you like it, finish off with a couple of layers of “clear coat” to give it a really glossy appearance and to protect the paint.

Finally,  this safe is not tested and does not meet current fire and burglary standards.  Do not keep any cash, jewelry, guns, or important documents in this safe.  Get a new safe that meets the above standards, for the items that you plan on protecting.

This little safe needs to be retired and used as a display item.  If you plan to use it, do so as I described earlier, but not as a safe that you will use on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

Current Burglary or Fire value:              $0
Current resale value:                        $250-$500
Current antique value:                       $250-$500       
We consider safes over 100 years old “antique”, this one still has a few years to go, but it is a nice old safe.  Take care of it, and it will be come and excellent heirloom.

If restoration is completed as outlined above:  Possible value:     $500-$1000  (note:  I would need to see the restored safe to reevaluate it.

    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentRapid response with expert information and great suggestions. Thanks so much!


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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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