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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Traverse City, MI USA
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    29
    Country: United States

    Default Why 3 Doors/Compartments?

    I was browsing a shop with an assortment of items, and spotted this safe. Upper 2 doors open, but lower locked and no combo. It's sort of an interesting piece, and maybe I'm sort of turning into a collector, since I can't seem to get it out of my mind. I was in a bit of a hurry, so I didn't look at it carefully, but any info or ideas of its purpose would be helpful.

    https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-U..._151217539.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Bulgaria
    Posts
    686
    Country: Bulgaria

    Default

    3 compartments is because you don't always want everybody to have access to everything.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Traverse City, MI USA
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    29
    Country: United States

    Default

    I was wondering if it might have been for a particular type of business, etc. I didn't see any markings about what manufacturer.

    I'm sort of wanting to go back when I have more time to get a better look at its condition. The car jack under the corner of it makes me wonder....

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    1,755
    Country: Wales

    Default

    My guess is that the bottom unit will be a heavier and higher grade than the top two, allowing for lower value 'float' or stock in the two top units and the main bulk takings in the bottom. Likely to be different staff access to top two doors but only manager or owner has access to bottom. Are there any sort of deposit apertures inside either of the two top units to post stuff into the bottom safe?

    Assuming the crane hinge on the bottom door isn't just for show the door is likely to be thicker and perhaps stepped in construction, although looking at the supporting carriages they don't look to be very heavy duty.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    1,485
    Country: United States

    Default

    For future reference in case the image disappears from Google --

    Click image for larger version. 

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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    147
    Country: United States

    Default

    Nice safe! I'd be on it faster than stink, despite the jack suggesting a wheel problem. That would give a guy a huge bargaining chip.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Traverse City, MI USA
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    29
    Country: United States

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 00247 View Post
    Nice safe! I'd be on it faster than stink, despite the jack suggesting a wheel problem. That would give a guy a huge bargaining chip.

    Any guess what something like that is worth, or what I should pay for it? Wheels appear to be intact, just not a level floor. I'm guessing the jack is trying to keep it from rockin' & rollin' with the Victrola right next to it.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    68
    Country: United States

    Default

    It looks like a heavy duty icebox.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Traverse City, MI USA
    Posts
    29
    Country: United States

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by kwoswalt99 View Post
    It looks like a heavy duty icebox.
    It does, but with a combination dial. It's still sort of cool looking. Sort of a different looking safe with the exterior hardware & links. It seems to be more of a decorative thing, since they don't lock. (I don't think) It's a more typical locking bolt inside the door edge that takes care of that.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    1,485
    Country: United States

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    Quote Originally Posted by bighammer View Post
    It seems to be more of a decorative thing, since they don't lock. (I don't think)
    You are talking about what is called the pressure system or pressure bars. These are used to force the door into the frame very tightly before locking. This was popular for a long time as a deterrent against burglars dripping nitroglycerine into gaps between the door and frame in the hope of blowing the door open. On good safe and vault doors it even made the door water tight as protection against flooding.

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