Screw Safe

[Squelchtone]

Hi, new to safe collecting/restoring. Already enjoying it. I picked this up today. Any ideas how to identify? Where should I begin please. Thanks! Brady

[Squelchtone]

I thought you picked it up 4 days ago

Terry "Andy" Andreasen, Matt Lamborn, and Bobby Overbey Sr. , well respected experts in the safe world already gave you the best answers on the Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/groups/436191493400470/permalink/1274799782872966

interesting looking design with that visible gear..

[Brady737]

I thought you picked it up 4 days ago

Terry "Andy" Andreasen, Matt Lamborn, and Bobby Overbey Sr. , well respected experts in the safe world already gave you the best answers on the Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/groups/436191493400470/permalink/1274799782872966

interesting looking design with that visible gear..

Thanks! I bought it 4 days ago but picked up yesterday. Good to know those are the go to experts.

[00247]

As mentioned on the Facebook page, I agree that it is a very early Mosler Screw Door. It would be from before 1890. Look closely for a serial number on the body, door pivot finial, or on a hinge finial. It could possibly be stamped on the small gear also. Terry posted a picture of one. I will add it here for fellow members. Yours has the dial which may be correct. Take detailed pictures of it.



There are three other clues that tell me it is a Mosler. They are a pivot mount, time lock linkage spring, and the pattern of the bolt holes for the time lock shown in your picture. Mosler screw doors used the Yale Triple L time lock of a specific version. Your door is set up for that.



Never say never on parts. One of my Mosler Screw Doors had the time lock missing along with all the linkage. I found a parts safe in Florida and got all the parts I needed.





I had to do some digging but knew I had it somewhere. This is an early model Model Screw Door but in the double door version. Extremely rare. I would consider your safe rare too. Picture provided by Doug MacQueen.

[Kenneth_V]

Pretty awesome old safes!!

[Brady737]

Wow That is such awesome information! I have some time to give this safe and looking forward to the process. Probably not the one to learn on, but I will give it a shot!

[00247]

First thing I would do is investigate and try to remove the center piece with the dial. The other safes pictured have a handle that is keyed to engage or disengage the handle which locks the rotating assembly of the door. At some point Mosler added the combination lock. Yours could be one of the transition models. Later they added a cover to the door and the lock was mounted to a hinged door in the center of the cover.





Then again, someone could have modified the safe and the dial could be fake. Either way the center plate can be removed to expose what is in there. That is where the retaining ring will be to hold the rotating assembly to the stationary frame of the door. Be aware that Mosler can be sneaky and liked to hide fasteners under a layer of filler. Over the years the filler usually cracks in a circle around the fastener. I am curious about that one screw at the edge and the hole next to it.



Feel free to click on my name and email me directly if you need help. Or just post here and we can provide cheap entertainment for fellow members. lol

Here is a picture of an 1891 Mosler with the door cover removed. You can see the similarities inside.



I had a couple detailed threads on restoring Mosler screw doors on keypicking.com but all the pictures have been lost in those threads.

[Brady737]

[00247]

That number will be the assembly number for the safe. You will find it stamped on virtually every part. The safes of this era have the parts hand fit so it was imperative that all parts stay with the safe through production. The number should be 6 digits. Check those finials!

[Brady737]

Thanks for the help. Finials don't seem to have a number on them. Although the crank and other parts have the same 285 number.

[Brady737]

Ok so the door is open. The good news is there are matching numbers. I am assuming I am missing some stuff in here also. Have fun! [image]v[/image]

[00247]

Oh man, that is fantastic. As I thought is is a transition model with the combination lock. That is a Yale 5H friction fence lock that would later be labeled as a Mosler. Here is a long thread that has some discussion about that model. http://keypicking.com/viewtopic.php?f=100&t=12747&hilit=mosler+5h

You are missing the keyed latch. The bolt pattern looks to match the common latch that was used in inner compartments of many regular square safes. If so, it is an easy find.

[Brady737]

Great news! Ok so here is a dumb question...but learning so...with the time locking mechanism on the back of the door missing, I would guess this can't lock right now, so ok to screw the door all the way in? I will go read that thread.

[Squelchtone]

Great news! Ok so here is a dumb question...but learning so...with the time locking mechanism on the back of the door missing, I would guess this can't lock right now, so ok to screw the door all the way in? I will go read that thread.

Make sure to use at least 2 sticks of butter on the edge of the door so you wont have any trouble unscrewing it afterwards.

*I don't know the actual answer, just being a wise guy.

[Brady737]

Thats funny....no need to screw the door in. It does line up and start the close process...I won't be ready to close until it is cleaned, prepped, rust removed, etc. Next step recommendation?