Silver Diebold restored...well...almost done that is.

[NatSafeMatt]

I have to do the 23KT gold leaf striping around the outer edge of the body on the face and also around the oil painting. Look inside the lock...i know i havent seen much but i have never seen the small brass piece inside...bet Doug has. This safe is 32.5 inches tall and 23 wide and 22 deep and is forsale when it is finished. Itis from approx late 1870's...lock number is 38247.

[NatSafeMatt]

Safe is done and complete with 23KT gold leaf striping. Hope you enjoy the (many) picts.

[bbcci]

WOW! -JTDSFW - (Just too darn sexy for words!), Thanks for posting those.........
Bill

[Dean Nickel]

I just have to ask. How much do you charge for a job like that?

Yes that is a NICE safe! Much better than one can get today in looks.

Pitty that any fire material is long gone.

[Doug MacQueen]

Dean, I am going to come down on you and come down on you hard, but don't take it personally. I just cooked some fish, pan fried. When I turned on the fire fairly low, how long do you think I could hold my hands in the flames? A second maybe? When I put the iron skillet on the flames, how long could I put my hand on the skillet? Definitely longer than a second or two. So even solid metal is an insulator. At least for a while. We know from experience aluminum transfers heat faster than iron. It is always a matter of time. Now the Diebold safe contains an insulator that is far superior to iron. Regardless of whether it is concrete, alum, plaster of paris, asbestos, whatever it is, it is an insulator. Even if it is of the type that would generate steam when exposed to high temps and is no longer capable of creating that steam, it is still an insulator. How good? Who knows! Surely not as good as when new but to claim that it is no longer capable of insulating in a fire is just not true. Okay I'm done. Just the facts m'am.

---------- Post added at 06:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:24 PM ----------

Sorry about the rant Dean, but if I hear that old wives tale about older fire safes one more time I'll... Matt, that part is to hold the fence /lever up while resetting the comb. Otherwise the lever nose falls into the driver and prevents dial rotation in the one direction. It wouldn't be needed if the changing position was offset but Diebold liked "O" locks. Doug

[bbcci]

Matt,
If you happen to shoot Dean an email on the cost for a job like that, instead of posting it, I would love to be cc'd in on that. Thanks....
Bill

[NatSafeMatt]

Sold...on its way to Washington State...

[nickrov]

I am absolutely in love with this safe!!!!!!

[Dean Nickel]

He is the bomb on safe restores.

[NatSafeMatt]

Doug...you're killin' me....i have no idea what you just said about what that brass peice is or does...haha. the combination and everything works...do i need to be concerned about the lock sticking or something?!??? lol. Hopefuly see you soon. a friend of mine got a "newer" safe and wants to now whats in it....next time you are here...can you open it up? No hurry...he just figures another original copy of the Declaration of Independence is inside...noooo...just kidding....whenever you get a chance. Take care. :O)