Please help Id This Safe

Dkozyk

I have a safe and would like some information on the make of it. Im posting pictures that may help.

Doug MacQueen

Here is a very similar Diebold Kienzle safe. But from what I can see yours is not a Diebold. Odds are good it was another Cincinnati maker. The cast iron panel hardware is often screwed on, dressing up a standard model. It also drives the current value up. Doug

David Hovey

Looks like an S&G dial and ring. Most likely a Mosler Bahmann with an S&G Revolving Bolt combination lock. A picture of the outer door bolt work and comb lock would confirm this.

On the other hand I have not seen Mosler Bahmann utilize all the door panel decorative hardware like the Diebold Kienzle.

Could it be a rare Diebold Bahmann??

Grayhair

I always heard them referred to as a “Hall rope”; possibly a regional term. Unusual (at least to me) to see an unbroken rope.

Doug MacQueen

Yes, if Mr. Kozyk would supply some up close dial and inside lock pictures, it might help to narrow it down. Pretty sure I have seen a Mosler Bahmann like this and definitely a Hall’s. Good thought on a Diebold Bahmann. In addition, good possibles are MacNeale Urban and the rare Star Iron Works.

Grayhair

Somehow it just doesn’t say McNeale & Urban to me. Can’t say exactly why.
I’d forgotten about Mosler Bahmann! Didn’t see but 2 or 3 and that was 40+ years ago. I’m not familiar with a Diebold Bahmann.

Doug MacQueen

Here is an early Mosler Bahmann and a comparison of the handles shows they are very similar. Doug

Huw Eastwood

Doug MacQueen wrote
Here is an early Mosler Bahmann and a comparison of the handles shows they are very similar. Doug

Doug that Mosler Bahmann looks wider horizontally than its height, or is it just camera angle and perspective? Seems unusual to see a horizontal shaped safe from that era opposed to the typically more upright safes back then. I know some were very squat in shape, but that almost appears wider than its height.

They are all beautiful safes though, the heavy rope twist around the body in addition to the panelled mouldings makes heck of a difference visually. Hats off To the American makers back then, they sure make our early British examples look dull in comparison.

[unknown]

Doug MacQueen

Max, this is from the 1866 Herring catalog. I’ve seen several with marble tops, but none quite this fancy, loaded with cast iron embellishments.

Huw Eastwood

Now that’s one heck on an ornate lump! My initial reaction was thats surely a cast iron safe simply covered in lightweight ‘cosmetic’ furniture, amazing to know thats all cast iron. I can only imagine the weight of it, and visually it’s on par with Fichet’s Louis XV offerings- amazing stuff, thanks for posting