2 Antique Vault / Safe Entrances 1865 Sargent's Magnetic Lock

2 Antique Vault / Safe Entrances 1865 Sa rgent's Magnetic Lock

Hello,
I have a couple of antique vault entrances that I am trying to figure out what to do with. They are extremely ornate and I have found no similar ones like them.
Double skinned with back doors, with one having a Sargent's Magnetic lock (patent 1865).
One is 7' tall with a dome top (very ornate) and the other is 6' tall (also very ornate).

Thanks!
Ken

 

My images are too large to upload. I'll modify them later.

 

I know nothing about your items, but IMHO these are going to be a tough sale because of their size & weight.

You could give ebay a shot utilizing local pick up only.

Craig's List may be a better avenue for the sale.

You don't live anywhere near Washington DC do you? The reason I asked is we have a member that might could use them for his hoarditorium.

 

Ooo I think I know that member too! Yup if they weren’t too ‘spensive and were within my hoarding area, I’d pick ‘em up!

 

Somehow I am not surprised.

 

Very cool. Besides the above excellent suggestions, you might find a salvage dealer near you to sell to. Location is everything with something like this.

 

Thanks all for your wonderful suggestions. After talking with a museum director I think I might take the plunge and restore them. I've always liked a challenge and a challenge this seems to be. I spent the day with them and did manage to get all of the mechanisms to function. Sandblasting tomorrow.

Ken

 

Hello,
Thank you for your thoughts and wisdom. It is appreciated.
I live in Northwest Indiana.
I think I might go ahead and restore them. But am certainly up for any potential buyers ;-]

Ken

 

We would love to see occasional photos of your progress. Some of us either have no talent for restoration or are not able to do them any more so we often live vicariously through those who tackle projects such as these safes.

Besides if you take photos for us you will also have them for your self & should you ever decide to sell them you will have them for any potential buyers.

I am afraid NW Indiana may be a little too far for Spring. He would have to be gone from the Hoardatorium too long & Mrs. Spring is liable to come in & sell the whole place.

 

You are not too far from these guys who would probably be interested......

https://www.urbanremainschicago.com/

I have sold to them and have been treated fairly. Go in with a number in mind and be willing to bargain a bit. I would only go this route if interested in a quick easy sale. You would probably maximize your return by restoring and selling to an end-user, albeit with more work and headaches.

 

I will indeed keep this updated with pictures. I'm also considering keeping a video diary of the process on youtube to perhaps build an interest. I'm semi retired so I have a bit of time to devote to this project. I believe I'll start off with the large blue one and see how that goes.

 

Thank you so very much for the information. I believe I'll contact them to pick their brains a bit if nothing else.
OK, I have my tylenol in hand and heading out to make a mess.

 

I did some work on it.... and some more, and a bit more.
Looking very cool. I managed to get some idea on the original graphics after removing paint. I got a couple of pics but my battery died today. I've gotten almost the entire front door done and ready for blasting. Lots of work here. Hope it is worth it.

 

Can't wait to see photos

 

Sorry for the wait. Busy few days.
I did manage to get over and clean a bit. I see no one warned me what a task this was going to be....

Sandblasting seems ain't coming till later. I have to take this thing apart and get rid of a lot of the grunge before blasting.
Which I did take apart the front door.

So I have a few picks of some hardware. Cleaned an not.
What a difference.
No frontal pictures. I want to finish cleaning it first. (before sandblasting)

What a difference some love makes. This is the deadbolt section of the vault door. One upper (the clean one) and a lower.

Numbers off a part. Other part numbers match


Matching Number (Date perhaps?)
Lock Hardware. Gonna have to buy some parts.

More of the hardware.


Parts from the deadbolt section. The two hooked pieces go to the back door.


Long slide lock section. This part is what locks everything.


Some numbers I can't make out.



One piece partly cleaned comparison.

 

OK, a few more.
These things are so beautiful. I feel honored working with them. Early post civil war... or late civil war. Too cool...

The parts I have in the previous post are from the blue one. I'm going with that one first. Seems I only have the inside shots of the gold one though. I'll sort it out for you here one day...

 

Those would make a killer safe room in a house, who needs a safe when you could have a whole room for the contents!!

 

Sure you want to use sand not walnut shells or baking soda?

 

Going with walnut shells. Going out tomorrow to test fit the cleaned deadbolt pieces and see what clearance I have for nickle plating the deadbolt parts. I'll post picks soon.

 

Looking forward to seeing your updates, @Ken D -- By the way, I'm originally from northwest Indiana but it's been quite a while since I lived there. I do visit often. Was just there for Christmas.