Need help with identification of this safe...

Dutch John

I can buy this old rusty safe for 250€.
The seller states it’s a Cannonball, but I doubt that.
Looks closer to a Mosler when you ask me…
The combination lock is operational as it is.
Only needs some TLC.
I never seen such safe here in Europe.
Looks American to me.
Do you know which brand and type it is?
I’m looking for pictures how it should look like also.
Makes restoring it easier.
Otherwise I have to use my fantasy again.

Thanks, John.

Huw Eastwood

Cool safe Dutch John, it’s a round door money chest like you say not many over here in Europe, I used to occasionally see some when the US bases were still over here, but that was back in the 1980s, and they all went back when they closed.

I’m sure one of the American members will ID it for you, to be honest I’m amazed the thing still works seeing that level of corrosion on it!

T Davison

You have a mosler round door TRTL-30 ×6 Old style lug door. If you like more please PM Thanks Tim

00247

If it is a Mosler, look for the serial number as it can be dated on the Mosler serial number ledger. I can’t help as I am familiar only with older Moslers. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was only one solid color. Look carefully for any signs of original designs. I am surprised at the door hinge being mounted at an angle, must be a real PITA.

Moslers can be made to look good… 🙁blush):

Dutch John

T Davison wrote
You have a mosler round door TRTL-30 ×6 Old style lug door. If you like more please PM Thanks Tim

Thanks, that is a big push in the right direction.
Will use Google to find out more.

[unknown]

Dutch John

00247 wrote
If it is a Mosler, look for the serial number as it can be dated on the Mosler serial number ledger. I can’t help as I am familiar only with older Moslers. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was only one solid color. Look carefully for any signs of original designs. I am surprised at the door hinge being mounted at an angle, must be a real PITA.
Moslers can be made to look good… 🙁blush):

Thanks for the help.
It looks as if it was outdoors for a long time.
Any original paint on it is gone.
I noticed the hinge at an angle also.
When it is from any military use, the maybe it’s a safety feature.
You would need one to lift the door, and one to get the stuff in or out.
You can’t leave it open also.

That’s a nice safe. Yours?
I saw those decals on Ebay occasionally.

[unknown]

00247

Decals?! Ouch, that’s a kick in the groin.

Just razzing you. 🙁giggle): It is all hand laid 23 karat gold leaf with outlines, pinstripes, and shadowing all done by hand. Although I worked with vinyl graphics for many years I would never put a piece of vinyl on a collectible safe.

Doug MacQueen

The way the hinge is angled would indicate the safe is a top loader, meaning the door is on top , not the side. I have worked on a lot of Mosler round doors, and although at first glance it does look like one, on closer inspection I have doubts. On the TR torch resistant Moslers I have seen, there is a copper layer visible on the door edge, but with the paint it is hard to tell. Also the fit of doors was usually so tight, any rusting or paint would bind the door up to some degree. Possible it could be something out of Mosler’s ventures in Canada. Maybe a picture of the inside would help?

Dutch John

00247 wrote
Decals?! Ouch, that’s a kick in the groin.

Just razzing you. 🙁giggle): It is all hand laid 23 karat gold leaf with outlines, pinstripes, and shadowing all done by hand. Although I worked with vinyl graphics for many years I would never put a piece of vinyl on a collectible safe.

Sorry. Didn’t mean to be rude… 🙁blush):
Burglars don’t have to break into the safe to steal your valuables.
It’s right on the outside of the safe, haha. 🙁rofl):
Saw that safe in another thread, and how it was originally.
Of course it’s a matter of taste, but I would have left it like it was.
I would only clean it, and put some wax or something on it.
The wear of use has it’s own charme.
People who lived a long time ago all left their own signature on it.
It’s a part of the history of the safe too, I think.

What do you think?

[unknown]

Dutch John

So, I bought this safe where I started this topic with, for 150€. Good deal, huh?
It’s in goodfair condition.
I thought it was a Mosler safe, but it actually is a German “Bode Panzer”, according to the tag on it.
The inner is deeper than my arm is long.
And the tag is upside down, when the door is on the front.
This makes me think the door should be on top, and some kind of container could be dropped in.
It has a 4 disc combination lock in good condition.
I wrote Bode, who manufactured this safe, for more information.

Dutch John

More photo’s.