| Author | Message | ||
     Ratbuell |
OK, I scored a free (!) 1880s Mosler & Bowen fire safe. It's about the weight of a VW and it dimpled the diamondplate deck on my old 7,000 lb car trailer.  It's *large*. And, I couldn't let it get scrapped. So, I've got it in the garage now. Not sure what I'll do with it, but at least it's not getting trashed. It's open, but I have no idea what the combination is. I've removed the mech:  but have no idea how to read it. I can turn it the correct number of revolutions, and I can line up the marks, and without the mech in place the dial does unlock the handle and I can unlock the door. Anybody know how to read what number is what on one of these? Or am I looking at a few hours of trial and error? | ||
| Greg_e |
My google-fu not working so good, but found this place which might help. Certainly lends credibility that you have the mech. apart and are looking to set a new combination to use it. http://en.allexperts.com/q/Antique-Safes-3774/ | ||
| Hootowl |
What a find. Hope you figure out the combo issue. | ||
| Strokizator |
Maybe you can replace the entire lock mechanism with a new S&G. http://www.sargentandgreenleaf.com/ | ||
| Ratbuell |
I had an epiphany last night. I can leave the mech. out. That will allow me to latch and unlatch it as if I had a combo, and at least use it as one of the world's heaviest cabinets! Without the mech. installed, the dial will eventually get to the "unlock" spot and allow me to open the latches. My initial plan was "gun safe", but even as large as it is, the fire safe walls are so thick...I can't even fit my .308 in here. So, "cool conversation piece" it is! | ||
| 86129squids |
Helluva paperweight there.  | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Keggerator from hell! | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
Didn't know there was a speed limit for those things!? | ||
| Aesquire |
A buddy of mine worked at an industrial park.... that got evacuated when someone trying to move an old ('20-30's ) safe left over from a long gone company out of the way.... dropped it and broke two large glass vials of tear gas built into the door. The local Fire Chief said they had no idea what chemicals were involved, but it sure wasn't CN or CS tear gas, but some much nastier stuff from long ago. The news showed fire fighters being hosed off with fire hoses as they exited the loading dock after foaming the safe trying to contain & dilute the tear gas. The whole area stunk for days. | ||
| Ratbuell |
yeah, this one's totally dry and empty. Got it from a neighbor's friend; she lost her husband a couple years ago, and wants to do something radical like park a CAR in her garage lol. Now that I've got the combo figured out, and the mech cleaned and working great...I just wanna know how old / valuable it actually is. Yeah, it's cool...but is it worth anything beyond "yeah I have a huge cool heavy old fire safe"? | ||
| Pwnzor |
That safe is awesome. |
