Diebold Safe Manufacture Date?

[Sir Ken]

Hello: Hoping someone might be able to give me a ball-park age on a safe I am attempting to restore. I assume photos would be easier than me trying to explain things via text so I'll attempt to post them below.

In the process of sanding the exterior I have come across a set of numbers that appear twice. Those numbers are 160638, which appears on the top of the top hinge. This same number appears on the handle/lever with the addition of 3316X.

I am assuming that this might be the date of assembly 16/06/38 or June 16, 1938, a Thursday... or not.

I didn't know if there might be a master list somewhere (likely the manufacturer) that might show more history.

Thank you in advance.

Ken

[Squelchtone]

If you could show us a good in focus close up photo of the combination dial next to the entire handle, as well as the entire front of the safe with the door shut, that helps a lot more to ID the decade it was made in. a close up of the lock inside the door would be good to see as well (it looks like Diebold's K Lock) as sometimes certain locks were used for a certain period of time and then other locks were installed on similar safe bodies (think of it like buying a car, but the car radio is made by Sony or Kenwood, a lot of lock makers would use someone else's locks on their safe bodies.)

I am 99% sure the the serial number does not decode the the 1938 date you mentioned. I believe this safe to be much older.

You can also ask this question to the folks at this Safe Collectors group on Facebook, but if you do, include the photos I mentioned above: https://www.facebook.com/groups/436191493400470

Thanks for sharing your nice safe with us!
Squelchtone

[Sir Ken]

[Squelchtone]

Those are great shots! thank you! It's gonna look great when you are done painting!

I don't have an exact date for you, someone else probably will, but that is a thin walled safe with K lock. Probably 1890-1915 plus or minus.

Thank you for the photos,
Squelchtone

[Sir Ken]

Probably 1890-1915 plus or minus.

Thank you for the info, far more than I knew this morning.

Just going through everyone’s posts here. Very interesting reading, the history, the information, etc. Glad I found this forum.

I have requested access to the Facebook group you mentioned, pending access I’ll post up there too.

[00247]

Squelchy nailed it. I had one of that model although mine did not have the inner door option. You can read about it at this link. Unfortunately, some of the pictures were lost in the thread but most are still there.

http://keypicking.com/viewtopic.php?f=100&t=12899

They do make an attractive safe when restored. By the way, the lock and handle remove easily so you don't have to work around them. My numbers were 3316X, 150018

[Sir Ken]

By the way, the lock and handle remove easily so you don't have to work around them. My numbers were 3316X, 150018

So, the 3316X is a model number... since your number matches mine, then my 160638 is the serial?

Would you also divulge the secret to removing the lock and handle... cause I’m hoping to paint the dial so maybe I can actually see the numbers? If the dial can be removed that is.

[00247]

Yes, it is the serial number.

Remove the cover on the lock, the wheel pack is mounted to the cover. Inside you will see the spline key, remove that and the dial will spin out of the drive wheel and can be removed exposing the screws that hold the dial ring to the door. Take the nut off of the handle shaft which holds the bell crank and the handle will come off. If the bell crank is stuck leave the nut on but loose and tap with a hammer on the nut to loosen. That protects the threads. Look through that link I provided it will show the innards.

[Sir Ken]

Yes, it is the serial number.

Since I’ve never worked a safe before, I’m imagining thirty tiny springs go flying when I remove the cover.

[MartinHewitt]

As it is most often the reality is not as dangerous as the imagination.

I am wondering if 3316 is somehow related to the inner or outer size of the safe. 33 inch high and 16 inch wide?

[Squelchtone]

Yes, it is the serial number.

Since I’ve never worked a safe before, I’m imagining thirty tiny springs go flying when I remove the cover.

watch out for the nitroglycerin booby trap and glass vials of tear gas!

[Squelchtone]

Yes, it is the serial number.

Remove the cover on the lock, the wheel pack is mounted to the cover. Inside you will see the spline key, remove that and the dial will spin out of the drive wheel and can be removed exposing the screws that hold the dial ring to the door. Take the nut off of the handle shaft which holds the bell crank and the handle will come off. If the bell crank is stuck leave the nut on but loose and tap with a hammer on the nut to loosen. That protects the threads. Look through that link I provided it will show the innards.

00247,

A. that paint job is better than a brand new car, I can see my reflection from here!

B. I only guesstimated the age, what decade/century do you think it is from?

Thank you sir,
Squelchtone

[Sir Ken]

Ok, Facebook group to the rescue. According to Bobby Overbey Sr. the date for this safe would be 1919.