Artwork / scrollwork on gun safes, pics?

[guitar1580]

I'm looking for some ideas for applying some pin striping, scrollwork, etc. on a safe which I just got a great deal on last night....and am preparing to re-paint / restore.

It came from an old grocery store, and is approx. 4' high by 2' wide, approx 4" thick concrete filled walls, and weighes approx 1000 to 1200 lbs. I'd guess it to be from the 1950's to 1970s. I can't imagine getting much more fire resistant without spending huge dollars for a vault style.

The seller loaded it into my friend's pickup truck with a farm tractor, and engine hoist. 6 friends and I worked for 3 hours with dolleys, ramps, levers, and pipes to get it into my basement last night. What a job!!

Anyway, I have a sign-maker friend who can cut pin-striping, lettering, etc. on his vinyl cutter, and I'm looking for some ideas / pictures of interesting safes. I'll try to post some before and after pics soon.

Josh P

A couple of pics of my old ugly beast...prettier in a few days hopefully. I included the chair & paint can as a size reference.

 

[guitar1580]

Update:

Since I posted this thread, I found some interesting pictures, for those of you who may be interested.
JP

 

[kennyb]

wow...neat pics i have a 6 foot tall winchester safe thats very roomy..but dang,those safes are pretty!

 

[crsides]

I have a HUGE safe in my den that I have wanted to paint/decorate (something low key - for the wife) for 15 yrs. Keep the ideas coming. thanks for the thread.


Charlie

 

[ElToro]

mine is in the garage bolted to the floor. snugged between shelving with camping gear and cabinets with other crap in them. boxes of other stuff on top. took a strong magnet to the top and draped a banner of my local sports team over the front. i dont want anybody knowing its there.

 

[guitar1580]

The magnet and banner is a good idea. I thought we would get some good pics in this thread, but not seeing alot for some reason.

I'm waiting for some new hinge pins & shims to come in for my bottom door, and then I'm going to apply some paint and stripes. I've already designed & sketched it, removed the rust, applied the primer, and hopefully will get it painted this weekend and will post pics.

The fellow who I bought it from has a huge safe from approx 1850 which he got from a coal company. He's going to put a custom car paint job on it - candy apple red with pinstripes painted on. I'll try to get some pics of that one too if possible.

Josh P

 

[Iggy]

I hate to tell you this, but those old safes lined with cement are very toxic and dangerous. You need to get that out of your house immediately.!!!







Just kidding!! Be interested in what you do with it.

Pictures will be required.

 

[james56]

Safe Ideas

Heres some my GF has made for my safe.Were not done with the safe yet. They were made with her ciriut that cuts all kinds of materal. Next are the pinstripes. More pic's to follow when she's done

 

[Kanewpadle]

Can't quite tell but this looks like an old Allied Gary cash vault. Probably with a TL15 or TL30 rating. They were pretty plain jane when made but strong.

For vintage safe decor you could Google Herring Hall Marvin, Diebold, Mosler, or simply vintage safes such as this site.

The Antique Safe Collector

See page two. The Cannon Ball safe. Baddest safe there ever was. Got it's name because that's what it would take to get it open.