Farrel Herring Safe

Bfry

A church recently gave my father a Ferrel and Herring Co safe. With a Grasshopper key I believe. I’ve been trying to research it and can not find much. Any opinions would greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Doug MacQueen

I am surprised you haven’t found much. There are quite a few of those safes still around and they are popular for collectors. William Hall of Boston patented the lock in 1848. Silas Herring of New York was probably the biggest safe maker in the 1850’s and 60’s. John Farrel of Philadelphia was directly connected with Herring and seems to have been the mover-shaker of the two companies, especially as time went on. Anything else you would like? Doug

Bfry

Doug MacQueen wrote
I am surprised you haven’t found much. There are quite a few of those safes still around and they are popular for collectors. William Hall of Boston patented the lock in 1848. Silas Herring of New York was probably the biggest safe maker in the 1850’s and 60’s. John Farrel of Philadelphia was directly connected with Herring and seems to have been the mover-shaker of the two companies, especially as time went on. Anything else you would like? Doug

Appreciate your response. You say they are popular for collectors? Where would he be able to sell something like this? He was interested in keeping it at first but now it is just taking up space. He would like to sell it as soon as possible. Thanks again.

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Doug MacQueen

Many collectors follow the antique safes on Ebay. I am not on top of current prices for a safe of this type but if it were mine I would not sell for less than $1000. With a good restore paint at least two or three times that. Doug

Bfry

Doug MacQueen wrote
Many collectors follow the antique safes on Ebay. I am not on top of current prices for a safe of this type but if it were mine I would not sell for less than $1000. With a good restore paint at least twice that. Doug

Very interesting. Never thought it would be worth that much. I’m not very good with computers so I guess I’ll have to learn how to put it on eBay. Your responses are greatly appreciated.

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