3 Safes looking for information!

[chipsanderson]

So I just moved into a house that has 3 safe's in it. Is there anyway to identify these? I'm not sure if I want to restore them or sell them, I have no idea what they are even worth. Really just looking for information. I can post pictures, are there any angles which are preferable?

Thanks so much!

[00247]

Yes, pictures are a must. At the very least, it will entertain us!

Take pictures close enough to fill the whole picture. Show any details, art work, or lettering. Measure the safe.

Do you have the combinations or are the doors at least open? If so, take a picture of the inside and the back of the door if there is any lettering or art work on it. Also take a close up of the combination dial if there is printing on it.

They could range from boat anchors to worth some money... we don't know until we can decipher brand, age, condition, and whether common or rare.

[chipsanderson]

Here is the first one...

Measurements are 28" Wide x 27-1/2" Deep x 33-1/2" tall the wheels are 7"

[chipsanderson]

Here is the 2nd one

Measurements are 32" Wide x 26" Deep x 38" High wheels are 8" high

[chipsanderson]

Here is the 3rd one

Measurements 29-1/2" Wide x 25-1/2" Deep x 34-1/2" High 7" wheels

[chipsanderson]

Yes, pictures are a must. At the very least, it will entertain us!

Take pictures close enough to fill the whole picture. Show any details, art work, or lettering. Measure the safe.

Do you have the combinations or are the doors at least open? If so, take a picture of the inside and the back of the door if there is any lettering or art work on it. Also take a close up of the combination dial if there is printing on it.

They could range from boat anchors to worth some money... we don't know until we can decipher brand, age, condition, and whether common or rare.

Thanks for the reply, I posted the info above, any input is appreciated!

[00247]

I was hoping someone would offer up some opinions on these safes. The OP PMed me so I guess I will take a stab at it.

#1, Obviously it is a J Baum safe. Is that a metal plate screwed to the top? Something doesn't look right there. The lock is also not original and the inside is in tough shape.

#2, This one is interesting. With the unique hinges, raised edge around the perimeter, and the design on the wheel castings, it would make a cute little safe with a rework. I would think a forum member may recognize the brand. To bad the inside is in poor condition. The inner box is not original to the safe

#3, This one wouldn't be a bad project if it wasn't for the piece broken out of the door and the missing rear panel though both issues can be dealt with. Nice original inside on this one.

So in my opinion the safes have little value due to condition and being standard designs. Each one has issues and will take a good amount of work to make nice. You didn't say if you have the combinations but the doors are open so they can be retrieved easily. Combination locks always seem to be worth a few bucks as are hinge finials and inner compartments. You could put them on Craigslist and someone may buy if they want a project safe to put their nickels in that they won at the native casino. Or, if your up for a project you could redo one to your own personal standards.

[Chubby]

I know nothing about American safes. Some basics, however, are the same the world over!

The basic trouble with safes is that old ones are worth very little. If you were to restore them, even counting your time in at minimum wage, you are unlikely ever to get back what you have put into them. Of course there can be exceptions to that rule, but 99% of the time it holds true.

The first one is either losing the top plate due to deterioration, or even due to an attempted break in, or has probably been compromised and a piece of plate fastened to the top in an attempt to restore integrity. Either way, it has lost whatever security it originally had. The only way, realistically, to restore any level of security, without spending a serious amount on welding, would be to use it in an application which would allow you to cast a concrete monolith around it.

The other 2 seem just to be old and undistinguished safes. There is no shortage of these. I have seen plenty better simply dropped into building groundwork as filler! So unless there is something of which I am unaware, your best policy is to strip off anything of any value and dump them. I realise that this is not what you want to hear, but believe me, it is the truth.

Of course i you work the night shift and have free time, access to a welder paid for by your boss etc., then everything changes.

I play piano and the number of people who have the same idea would surprise you. Old pianos left in houses are almost invariably worthless for exactly the same reasons. They are not economically viable as refurbishment candidates, and would cost a lot of money to get somebody to haul them away to landfill.

[chipsanderson]

Damn. Thanks for the replies. I guess i'm gonna see if I can get anyone to come get them out of my way. I really don't care enough about them to work on restoring them if they aren't really anything special. Wonder where i'm going to find someone to take them? haha

[Arcade Al]

Damn. Thanks for the replies. I guess i'm gonna see if I can get anyone to come get them out of my way. I really don't care enough about them to work on restoring them if they aren't really anything special. Wonder where i'm going to find someone to take them? haha

Worth taking the locks out first. Nothing rare there but still fun for someone to play with if they have an interest in manipulation or just like locks.

Looks like the the second one has had a modern electronic safe fitted into it, is it welded in?

Despite the very low value of scrap ferrous metal at the moment, you should still be able to get an opportunist with a truck to haul the carcasses away. I know we can around here, but this is the UK and I don't know if you have an equivalent type of travelling entrepreneur over there?