Mare Island Naval Shipyard Paymaster Vaults

[Parisalan1]

Hi, everyone...newby to the site, been in love with locks, safes, and keys since I was a tyke. I'm the Director of a Museum, on the site of the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, CA, and in the process of restoring the old Paymaster's vault, probably ca 1880s. Its actually a double door vault, the outer door being the more substantial and using only a time lock (now missing, of course), the inner using a four wheel combination lock (I'm assuming, since the wheel pack is missing). Both doors are Diebold, and the inner door dial is stamped Diebold, but I'm not sure if Diebold actually made locks, or if its more likely a Yale? I'm concentrating on the inner door right now, and wonder if any of you can give me any info on the lock, and whether I'll be able to find parts for it, or whether I'll need to replace it with something newer. I've cleaned and lubed the previously frozen bolt action, and while there's more to do, its at least functional now, and opens and closes easily. Really, ANY comments, suggestions, facts, help you'd like to give me will be appreciated, as this is only one of many vaults I'm currently playing with...its like Christmas every day! Thanks, Ken

[Squelchtone]

That's a beautiful piece of history you have the honor of working with!

The inner door looks like it was drilled and scoped at some point in time, you can see the hasty repair on the inside of the door and the new ring around the dial ring to hide the hole that was made during the drilling.

Parts would be so hard to come by at this point, and you risk getting the safe locked by accident again or someone locked inside if it is a museum guests can wander around freely. I would recommend maybe having a plate made or find a cover plate for that inner lock, but not installing any guts to make it functional.

That's just my opinion though, tell us more about your goals with restoring it, maybe some new ideas will rise to the top.

Squelchtone

[Safecrackin Sammy]

Looks like the doors are in great shape, just in need of some serious pm.. Hopefully you have the rest of the lock for the inner door as a replacement new is probably unavailable.

Due to the historic value, I would suggest contacting Diebold direct and speak with their tech sup people. Grab as many pics and serial numbers as you can and they can probably give you some history and direction on how to proceed. Post back and let everybody know what they say.

[L4R3L2]

My first and last drills were on Mare Island, with a rifle requal there somewhere between. Sandy, dusty and windy, but good memories. Very nice vault. I'm glad it's being saved. At least no one took the dial! Thanks for sharing.

The lock case definitely has some Diebold characteristics, and is very similar to one in the books called the Diebold/Eagle 161, but yours has a relocking trigger. A modern lock would be difficult to fit, and your best course of action would be to find an antique Diebold or similar safe lock that has mounting holes that match. You will need to modify the lock bolt with a center mounting hole to engage the bolt works lever.

[L4R3L2]

Can you post a clear closeup of the dial?

[L4R3L2]

Actually, I'm not so sure that is a relocking trigger after all. I see what appears to be a socket for a Diebold change key, and so that device is more likely a zero-change lever. Doesn't help solve any thing, just an observation.

Is the dial indirect drive? (i.e. geared within the door)