Identification help needed on Antique Safe from Panama

[Huw Eastwood]

Hello Mat, in all fairness it was only yesterday when you posted this, some of the more experienced safe techs on your side of the pond don't get on as often as the 'hobbyist' members. Might have to be patient but usually someone is able to help out.

[Mat]

Yes sir, I understand. I forgot you guys were over there. I will be patient.

[Doug MacQueen]

If the dial is original, it is unlikely to be a HHM. The HE Yale lock patent 672,911 is from 1901 and the Yale OB patent 533,753 in 1895. Early HHM safes did use a lot of different locks, but given that Yale had several other 1880's patents and HHM started in 1892?, I wouldn't expect to see that early a dial. So I am curious as well. Pulling the cover is not difficult and once we see what you have, getting it back together shouldn't be a problem.

[Mat]

I am planning to carefully remove the back panel over the next few days and take pictures of the inside for you. Is there anything i need to be aware of before doing this? Will anything come apart unexpectedly that would be trouble to reassemble? I just dont want to have $500 service call to fix anything. It's working perfectly now.

[Chubby]

It is just effectively removing an inspection panel. Couldn't be simpler.

A blast of WD40 around the screws an hour before you try to budge them wouldn't hurt, but is by no means necessary.

[Mat]

My concern is not removing the inspection panel. It's the silver medalion that is attached to the panel with several screws. It appears to be directly behind the dial. Do i remove this first?

[Chubby]

I have never seen anything like that. I would leave it in place and remove the back panel. I hope someone with more experience can help you.

[Doug MacQueen]

Sure wasn't expecting that setup. That's the first time I have seen the Yale OB used in reverse. For the most part the boltwork (as well as the rest of the safe) does look like it was made by an established safe company, but the lock mounting is a mystery. I am not seeing any other lock mounting holes, so it does look like it is the original lock. It is a left hand door and I don't think the OB came in left hand. It almost looks like the safe was already made when they realized the lock wouldn't work as it was a right handed lock, so they made it work anyway.

[Mat]

If the dial is original, it is unlikely to be a HHM. The HE Yale lock patent 672,911 is from 1901 and the Yale OB patent 533,753 in 1895. Early HHM safes did use a lot of different locks, but given that Yale had several other 1880's patents and HHM started in 1892?, I wouldn't expect to see that early a dial. So I am curious as well. Pulling the cover is not difficult and once we see what you have, getting it back together shouldn't be a problem.

i posted more pictures for you to see the inside.