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Expert: - 9/29/2009


Question
Herring-Hall-Marvin Safe
Herring-Hall-Marvin Sa  
QUESTION: I am looking for a value of this safe.  I was told it was about 120 years old but i think it's a little less than that.  I obtained the lost combination and it works great.  I do not have keys for the inside compartments.  I will attach fotos but if you need more information, please let me know.

Thank you,
Keefe

ANSWER: Keefe,

Herring-Hall-Marvin Safe Company was in business from 1892 to 1959.  Gerber Carlisle Co., was not a manufacture of safes.  They were basically an office supply store, selling safes, phonegraphs, stationary, office supplies, office furniture, etc. in the late 1800's and early 1900's in Mexico City, Mexico.

With out a serial number we have to use the above dates, so it couldn't be older than 117 years old.  Based on the photo that you have submitted I would estimate that it would have been around the 1910-1915 era.

Question:  Take off one of the hinge caps "acorns", is it a heavy cast material or light weight tin or brass material?

Andy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The hinge cap "acorn" is a light tin.

Thanks

ANSWER: Keefe,

This would indicate that the safe is post WWI (around 1917 or later).  I didn't think that Gerber Carlisle Co., was around this long, but I don't have an ending date for them.

Andy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the info.  But, i was looking for a $ value for this safe.  Do you have any ideas?  Thanks!!

Answer
Keefe,

We never identify, evaluate or appraise your safes or vault doors without seeing them.  In order to rate or evaluate your safe I am going to need pictures.  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 (you may need to open the back panel of the door to photograph), 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.  Please review your photos before sending them.  If they are out of focus, or you can’t see them – then neither can I.  If the photos are larger than 2mb you may need to send them two at a time per email.

We try to be as unbiased as possible when evaluating and appraising, or offering possible restoration options to you.

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

Informal evaluations are no charge.  If you need a formal evaluation or an appraisal for insurance, estate or resale purposes, we have an administrative fee for the extra work.

Send me all the requested pics and I'll give you an evaluation.

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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