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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Posts
    2
    Country: United States

    Default Need help identifying an old bank vault.

    So me and my brother recently bought an old bank in our home town.
    It was originally built in 1904 as a butcher shop/bank.
    Right as you walk in the front door there is this beautiful vault door.
    When the township acquired the building 20 years ago they didn't think to ask for the combination.
    Luckily the door is currently open, so I think it will be easier to figure that out.
    What I was hoping to figure out was some information regarding the brand & year of the vault.
    Any brand marking were removed when they painted the door tan in the 1980s.
    The only marks I see on the entire thing is "Patent June 1888". Which is on the valve style wheel.
    I found some old black & white photos of the bank in the 50's & it looks like the door was a solid dark color.
    Also in the old photos their was a cannonball alarm company "bug" housing on the front of the building around the 1920s.
    The "bug" is still on the side of the building.
    There is also a large safe that was used for after hour deposits. That is open without a combination too.
    I will include photos of both because these really interest me & I would love to know as much as I can.
    I have a friend who is a professional painter. So if I can get photos of the original colors. That would be amazing.
    While I am here... What is usually used for the inside panel of vaults.
    I noticed that collectors will remove the steel plate & put in some sort of Plexiglas to see the mechanism.
    Keep in mind that I am 28 & have zero knowledge about safes. Thank you!
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    S5.JPG   S2.JPG   S4.JPG   S3.JPG   Bank Pic 1.JPG  

    Old Bank Interior.JPG  

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Posts
    2
    Country: United States

    Default Also I must not "144717" on the handle

    Couldn't edit post so I had a couple more pictures.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails V8.JPG   V9.JPG  

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    1,485
    Country: United States

    Default

    The vault door's lock looks like a replacement.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    new york / NYC area
    Posts
    94
    Country: United States

    Default diabold

    The small round door is a Diebold six bolt safe. The vault lock was replaced, The hardware on the vault door looks like Diebold. The turn handle has the same art work as all the automatic vault that I have seen. Tim

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

    Default

    If the safe door is a Diebold, would the presence of an S&G lock on it demonstrate that it, too, is a replacement?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    1,485
    Country: United States

    Default

    The date on the hand wheel (June 1888) seems to refer to US patent 384,262 (June 12, 1888) by Albert Kirks who has at least 6 other Diebold-related patents. It deals with the hinges, crane hinge, and mostly the pressure system for safe and vault doors.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    new york / NYC area
    Posts
    94
    Country: United States

    Default Diebold

    The dial was replaced. The dial is a 1950 vintage S&G. The lock is a peerless that is correct. The Peerless dial would start with a pat/Date around May 23 1871.enjoy Tim

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