Expert: Terry V. Andreasen (Andy) - 2/15/2009

Question
Hello
Thanks for your time.  We have a Mosler Safe.  Its old and very heavy.  We are going to be moving and are going to sell it looking for what the fair price would be for the safe and who we might get in contact with here in Vancouver WA./ Portland OR. area to sell it.
9144-356 is on combo knob,  there is a red tag on front class T20  156801,    back of safe has 9144-356, since both front and back match I am guessing it is the original handle. Can you help us?

Answer
Sandy,

Without seeing your safe we cannot evaluate it.  Two safes manufactured at the same time may be worth totally opposite amounts today based on their conditions.
In order to rate or evaluate your safe, I'm going to need photos.  They should include full exterior and interior.  Detail photos should include pictures of the dial, handles (with serial number), hinges, artwork, locks, castors, cabinetry and any special details or damage.  Please use as high a resolution as possible.  Pictures which are low resolution, out of focus, or from a distance don’t help when we try to evaluate the container.

Send the photos to:  andy@securitysafeusa.com

Rating Antique Value is based on several things, such as (but not limited to):
1.  Condition:  (excellent, good, fair, poor)
2.  Age
3.  Manufacture
4.  Type:  (Fire, Data, Burglary (bankers or jewelers)
5.  Construction methods:  (sheet steel, cast iron, composite, heavy steel/manganese)
6.  Size / Weight
7.  Art work  (original/refurbished/restored)
8.  History:  (documented with and without photo’s)
9.  Purpose of resale -  as an antique or for use as “Burglar safe or Fire safe“

We try to be as objective as possible, but ultimately the value is determined by the motivation of the buyer and seller.

Condition is based on different levels such as:
Excellent - Like new / out of the box
Good - Used but in like new condition/all parts available and work
Fair - minor damage, paint scratches, combo's and keys are available and/or doors are locked open.  Interior has minor damage.
Poor - Locked missing combo or keys, missing parts (ie locks, wheel packs) major damage, safe has been repainted over existing paint.  Interior damage, drawers missing, locks damaged, missing, etc.

The type of safe can change the value dramatically as Bankers & Jewelers safes are more sought after than cast iron record safes.

Purpose of "use"; if you are going to refurbish the safe and use it as an antique the value will be more than if you were going to use it as a "safe".  The reason being the safe was built 100 years ago, it would not stand up to current fire and burglary standards at all.

If the safe has documented history and/or if you restored it to original condition you could significantly improve the value of the safe.

If you decide to restore it, I have some ideas that will be of help to you, but unless it is a really unique safe and/or you are really in love with it, you should plan on spending more than it is worth.

Remember that the majority of these safes were built prior to cutting torches and/or most of the electrical tools that we have today.  The do not meet current burglary or fire protection standards and as such should not be used for overnight storage of valuables such as:  cash, jewelry, valuable documents, guns or computer media (discs, thumbdrives, microfiche).  

Based on your serial number and the SMNA "T-20" lable rating, your safe would have been built around 1946.  The T-20 label indicates that your safe has a 20 minute "tamper resistance".  Usually this label was installed on fire safes without any real burglary rating or protection.  Send me the pictures listed above, and I'll try to give you an idea of the value.

Andy