Value of this safe?

[otis24]

Can someone give me a rough idea of what this safe might be worth? Our church purchased the Masonic Temple for a church building. This safe and one other were left in the building.

Update: we have the combination.

 

[444 Magnum]

I don't know current market values but they will be dependent on several factors. Do you have the combination? Are you able to ship or is it limited to local sales? Interior and exterior condition. Style and condition of graphics. Size and interior compartment compatability for use today.

Look at online listings to get an idea. ebay, etsy, etc.

 

[bamabiker]

I see safes like that for sale from $200 to $1000 but don't know if anyone buys them. The seller nearly always makes the statement "Very Heavy. You will need help moving it" or something similar.
The first question is do you have the combination?

 

[Rustyt1953]

Ask Kanewpadle.

 

[6518John]

I typically see them advertised around here as “free to the first group that will move it!”

 

[Onomea]

A beautiful safe, for sure.

 

[CH4]

They often go for free, with the understanding the new owner is responsible for moving it. Another option is to call a local locksmith who deals in safes. They often want them and know how to move them.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I would estimate between $300-$500. Maybe more if you can find the right buyer.

It’s a nice old safe probably made between 1910-1920. I’ve seen many like this still use. Which unfortunately is not a good idea. They are not secure and much of the time the fire retardant material is degraded or damaged.

Most people that buy these are looking for a conversation piece to put in their home after having it restored. A quality restoration can cost much more than the safe is worth.

Most of the time people leave them where they are as a historical conversation piece.

 

[Truckman]

I’ve seen many like this still use. Which unfortunately is not a good idea. They are not secure and much of the time the fire retardant material is degraded or damaged.

I had one in my store in which the fire retardant will never deteriorate...It was built with inner and outer steel shells filled with concrete (yes including the 8" thick door)...The door was built with an outer shell filled with concrete except for three holes for the handles and the dial...It weighed about 3500 pounds...Don't ask about the inner workings of the door because I don't know...I can tell you all the sliding bolts worked smoothly.....Ben

 

[Kanewpadle]

I had one in my store in which the fire retardant will never deteriorate...It was built with inner and outer steel shells filled with concrete (yes including the 8" thick door)...The door was built with an outer shell filled with concrete except for three holes for the handles and the dial...It weighed about 3500 pounds...Don't ask about the inner workings of the door because I don't know...I can tell you all the sliding bolts worked smoothly.....Ben

I’ve run across those many times.

The problem is that concrete is not a fire retardant. Concrete filled safes act like a kiln when exposed to extreme temperatures.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

The safe is worth whatever someone will pay for it and move it.

 

[Jeff423]

I saw one about that size, but not as pretty, at a pawn shop yesterday for $225. They'd probably take $200.

 

[Kanewpadle]

The safe is worth whatever someone will pay for it and move it.

Obviously.

Some people are more skilled at finding the right buyer.

 

[bwade]

All that art work still in good shape on the safe makes it collectable. Small ones that look like that bring big $$$. This one is heavy, which hurts the value. If I was buying, $300 would be the max and that is if I had a fairly easy path to remove it, haul it and store it. No safe is worth the injury to you or the damage to your home.

 

[Tex1001]

The safe is worth whatever someone will pay for it and move it.

Should be really easy to move. It's floating on a wall.

Rim Shot!

 

[llowry61]

Looked like it was on wheels. I would think that might make it a little easier to move.

 

[6518John]

All that art work still in good shape on the safe makes it collectable. Small ones that look like that bring big $$$. This one is heavy, which hurts the value. If I was buying, $300 would be the max and that is if I had a fairly easy path to remove it, haul it and store it. No safe is worth the injury to you or the damage to your home.

My son who spent a good deal of time in his part time job moving furniture and heavy junk this summer, looked at the OP and said, “I would start at $500, then go up from there.” I asked, to buy the thing? He said “No, that is what the owner would have to pay me to take it!” I said, what about the pretty art? He said, “buy a painting!”

 

[handejector]

They are not secure and much of the time the fire retardant material is degraded or damaged.

What makes them not secure? Are they easy to open?
On fire retardant- Didn't old safes have asbestos in them?

 

[yaktamer]

From the name above the door, I suspect it was used to keep Charmin at the beginning of the COVID pandemic.

 

[ralph7]

The safe is worth whatever someone will pay for it and move it.

Cliche answers are never very informative, why bother??