Only if two of them are casters...The one I posted about earlier had four fixed wheels, and one was broken...We put it in the store as it was being built with a forklift...It's still in that same position today...
...Ben
Value of this safe?
- Thread starter otis24
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...Ben
Mild steel. Often not very thick. They look imposing but are not. Also have weak locking systems.
Many safes from that era and later did have asbestos. After that they used diatomaceous earth as a fire retardant. Same material that they still use in safes and fire doors.
The most secure and imposing safe from that era and before is the cannonball safe. Google it.
True. I helped move a much larger safe from the same era that weighed an estimated 2500 pounds.
We put half inch plywood on the floor and pushed the safe out the front door.
Memphis
Member
I'm a sucker for these old safes. And that one looks nice. It still has the hinge finials (usually missing) and the artwork still looks nice. I had one that I found at a local pawn shop and it was very similar to the one you show. I always felt it was safer (pun intended) than the newer ones. The detective in me started researching the name that was on the front (Henry Zschaake) and found that he was a german imigrant grocery store owner right here in the Memphis area. He died in 1914 and was buried here. I know it's wierd and maybe I am too but I found his death certificate on line and my son and I actually went to the cemetary and found his grave.
My brother and I put down some plywood on my staircase and winched that safe up to my mancave using two come-alongs. Wife and I just built a house and moved and sadly I had to leave that safe upstairs at my old house because the local safe company's lift wasn't working. The fella that bought my old house was very happy. And I still have a smaller beautiful antique one that I was able to move.
Sorry for the digression...but I like old safes.
Roger
My brother and I put down some plywood on my staircase and winched that safe up to my mancave using two come-alongs. Wife and I just built a house and moved and sadly I had to leave that safe upstairs at my old house because the local safe company's lift wasn't working. The fella that bought my old house was very happy. And I still have a smaller beautiful antique one that I was able to move.
Sorry for the digression...but I like old safes.
Roger
I think that is a very imposing (looking) safe. I think any burgled would look at it and give up if it were in your home or business. As for fire protection I think that’s over rated. What are the chances of it sitting in hot flames for hrs. Theft protection is the thing I’m most concerned about.
Very interesting piece. A lot of good points have been raised above. From the interior shelving insert, the safe appears to be a document safe (can't think of the proper term) rather than a valuables safe, but that doesn't mean the previous owner didn't use one for the other. It'd help if the thickness of the door was shown. Walls look pretty thick, dunno the thickness of the steel.
Besides having a working combination and the weight, another important factor is dimensions. Without having a weight, it's unknown if it could be safely put on a modern floor. However, the bigger question is can you get it in your building?
So far as defeating it, pros would wheel it out to a truck with lift gate and peel the door at leisure. Possibly concealed as a moving company. The teens down the street wouldn't bother.
Besides having a working combination and the weight, another important factor is dimensions. Without having a weight, it's unknown if it could be safely put on a modern floor. However, the bigger question is can you get it in your building?
So far as defeating it, pros would wheel it out to a truck with lift gate and peel the door at leisure. Possibly concealed as a moving company. The teens down the street wouldn't bother.
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CAJUNLAWYER
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If I was your church I would place them outside with a handtruck next to them with a sign that reads "Do not steal". They'd be gone before you could get back inside. Otherwise take them to the scrap dealer and get some lunch money.
