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Antique Safes/Wehrle - Change the combination

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Expert: - 9/25/2009


Question
Terry - I recently acquired a wonderful Wehrle safe that functions properly and looks nice in my office. Have a look at http://www.flickr.com/photos/djvnet/

Terry, a couple questions:
1. I washed it with warm soap and water to remove as much dirt and grime as I could. On the side there's a stain (it's dry by looks like maybe oil to me). What's the best thing to do with this to preserve its exterior? The gold leaf painting on the top is fading.
2. I'd like to chage the combination but I'm not sure how to remove that last tumbler so that the "set screw" can be moved. See the photos.
3. Any idea of its age and value? I don't intend to sell it, but I'd like to know. It was given to me.

Thanks,
Dan

Answer
Daniel,

Answers to your questions:
1. I wish I could give you a better answer, but painting and paint preservation is not one of my strong points - I would have to suggest you check with a painting restoration company, or an art school or department at a college, or possibly a painting company.  One of the items that I use to clean and make the exterior look better is "Pledge".  It cleans, polishes, and leaves a nice finish to most surfaces.
2. By removing the spline key, you can unscrew the drive wheel and gain access to the other wheels.  Make sure that you do not change the order of any parts that you remove.
3.  Age - The Wehrle Co, was a stove manufacture (cast iron) from 1883, during their redevelopment in 1904 they purchased the Atlas Safe company and did manufacture a small range of fire resistive safes until 1941, when the manufacture converted to wartime production of munitions and military hardware.  The company went through several name changes over the years until they were bought by Sears, Roebucks & Co.  During the time the company manufactured  and sold safes, in addition to their own line (18 models of fire proof safes) they also sold York safes, Alpine safes, Vulcan safes and a number of safes from various other manufactures, mainly fire resistive types.
Condition:  Fair
Problems areas: (based on photos provided) 1.  Exterior paint damage 2.  Handle plating is damaged 3.  Interior cabinetry minor damage
Value:
Fire & burglary     $0     This safe doesn't meet current standards and shouldn't be used for overnight storage of cash, jewelry or valuable documents.
Current resale      $400-$750
Antique value     $400-$750      Note:  if the safe is restored it will be worth more.  Overall a nice little safe.

Andy

Antique Safes

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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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