What Can You Tell Me About This Safe?

[djed]

Just picked up what appears to be a Reliable Safe & Lock Company safe. ... but I'm not eve sure that's what it is. Unfortunately it's locked with an unknown combination. The prior owner suggested it hadn't been opened in 40 years. Since this safe is new to me, please also reply with the dialing sequence and how the lock handle works. Thank you

[Northlandlocksmith]

Funny you ask! I was asking similar questions yesterday. Oddly enough a member here mentioned "Julius Bing" safe's in passing and thinking that was a funny name, and must be some joke I didn't get, I googled it.

Google image search Julius Bing. I am by no means an expert, I just happened to see some old safes online yesterday that look like yours because of the dial/lever. Hope that helps you begin your search.

[74TR6]

I recently repaired and now finishing the resto of a reliable safe for our lodge. Lock is most likely the same; three number plus driver. Sequence is L-4; R-3; L2; Right to drop. The handle will be disconnected until final number is dialed

[djed]

OK - it's a Reliable safe. The handle has a serial number of 27767. I was surprised to see that the base coat was ivory color.




I found some pictures online of what is likely the lock and bolt.





Now I just have to figure out how to get it open.

[femurat]

Manipulate the lock open and then turn the knob
That's what I'd try to do if I was you. It's a gravity fence lock, quite similar to a spring loaded fence. You can do it.

Good luck

[djed]

Does anyone have a subscription to ancestry.com? My safe was originally sold to Dr. H.A. Swan (L.W. Holley & Sons Co) and I'm having trouble locating him (likely now deceased) through Google.

[74TR6]

With the name, do you have a city and county? The county likely has a historical society; they should have a listing of residents and businesses for the time span needed. Many societies have published books of old photos; you may find a vintage picture of the business. Local library will have census records; not sure of the latest released, but 1910 should be available and 1920 may be released

[Jacob Morgan]

Does anyone have a subscription to ancestry.com? My safe was originally sold to Dr. H.A. Swan (L.W. Holley & Sons Co) and I'm having trouble locating him (likely now deceased) through Google.

There was a printing company named L.W. Holley & Sons Co that was in Des Moines, IA. Post WWII it relocated to Las Vegas, NV. Does any of that sound right?

[djed]

Don't know where the Dr (or dentist or vet) was located. The safe was acquired in Ventura but the sales company was headquartered in Des Moines, IA when the safe was sold. I understand the office supply sales company did business throughout the US.

The safe patent date is Aug 17, 1915.

[Jacob Morgan]

There was a Dr H A Swan in Abeline Texas from around 1919 to 1945 (he died in 1945). He was a medical doctor. Here is a (small) advertisement for him https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth91295/m1/4/?q="dr%20h%20a%20swan"

Could not find any plausible HA Swans in IA, or even any H Swans that were doctors. If they sold nation-wide then maybe they did sell to the doctor in Abilene. Coincidently, my great-grandfather had a farm near Abeline that same time frame.

A free research site is familysearch.org. It is ran by Mormons, but you do not have to be a member of that church to use it, and you do not have to give them any information either just to go there and do some research. They have Dr H A Swan's census records, WWII draft card, death certificate, etc.

[djed]

That is great information - thank you!!

[bitbuster]

Maybe ?
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.c ... 97&df=all&
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.c ... 182668637&

[djed]

I think Jacob Morgan got it right with Abilene, TX.

I've got a call in to the Dr's grandson who is a DVM in the same Texas county. The records available through familysearch.org helped narrow it down.

I was hoping to strip the olive green paint and discover the original white paint but no such luck (that's light grey paint on the left and bare metal on top). I'll have to refinish the safe.