Antique Mosler Safe

[00247]

I love the smell of bondo.....

So do I. And yes, sometimes it takes a lot. Especially on cast manganese bodies.



The old Molser won't be to bad depending on what level it is taken to.

To the OP, instead of sanding to reveal old artwork try using a single sided razor blade. Try scraping backwards first, then putting it in a holder and going forward. You have to play with the angle and sometimes a few backward drags to slightly dull the edge helps. The old safes have a coat of varnish over the top of the black paint and artwork. If you can find the sweet spot you can slice the top paint off with the razor blade just taking off a little varnish. Rust spots will take the blade in a hurry. Have lots of them.

Here, some horrid woodgraining is being removed.

[Scubasteve762]

Hello all, hope all is well.
Update- I’ve been carefully picking at this paint to see if I can get an idea what was on there for artwork, and it’s actually becoming quite visible even with how devastated it is.
I’ve spent hours trying to find a picture of a Mosler safe with a diagonal script like this one has but I’m not having any luck. I had actually been hoping for a more plain design but this one looks like it was quite ornate. Has anyone seen one similar to this so I can try to fill in the blanks when I re-letter it?

[00247]

Here is one although it is different and probably more elaborate. I have seen some similar to yours. There are a few common designs for Mosler but often there are unique ones too. Probably depends on who was lettering it and how much they had to drink the night before. lol If you look at lots of Mosler safes you will pick up on the common themes used.



If you haven't already, check out Matt Lamborn's Facebook page. I don't recall him doing one of this style but you can pick up a lot of ideas looking at his astounding work.
https://www.facebook.com/Matts-Antique-Safe-Restoration-114499335320464/

[Scubasteve762]

That one you posted is the closest I’ve seen yet! Do you have that in higher res at all? I do follow Matt on Facebook.

[MartinHewitt]

Wow! Matt does amazing work. But I am not sure I want to call it restoration.

Steven, maybe you can make a drawing of what you see on your safe? That is probably more than we can on your photos.

[Scubasteve762]

Good idea I’ll make a drawing.

[MartinHewitt]

What is really fascinating with US safes is the Persian rug. Never seen that in a German safe. How do you do that? Take any rug and cut it down to the necessary size?

[00247]

Picture sent in an email. See if that is better.

[Scubasteve762]

I think I got as much as I can from what is left. Time to start stripping/sanding.

[femurat]

Great tracing! Big help for the artist that will reproduce the decoration.

Cheers