| In watching programs like "Antiques Roadshow", you | | | | flowers, vines and leaves. Some safes even had |
| may have decided that investing in antique furniture is | | | | flowers hand-painted on the outside. After you take |
| the way to make your future fortune. But many of | | | | a good look at such a safe, you will be hard pressed |
| these antique pieces are too flimsy to use and take | | | | to find anything more valuable than the safe to lock |
| up a lot of room to properly store. This is one reason | | | | inside of it. |
| why some collectors prefer to invest in antique | | | | Some models, like cannonball safes, aren't as |
| Diebold safes. They aren't only valuable, they're | | | | attractive but are still valuable. They get their name |
| functional. | | | | from the huge round shape resting on a square base. |
| About Diebold | | | | Many antique Diebold safes from the 1850's - 1870's |
| Diebold is an American company based in Ohio that | | | | still survive and some make the market, sometimes |
| started in 1859 and still is around today with offices | | | | called "3rd model safes" in antiques listings in antiques |
| all over the world. The company is named after an | | | | listings, especially if the safe has double-doors. |
| enterprising locksmith named Charles Diebold. Their | | | | I Think I Have One. Now What? |
| reputation was made from a tragic event - the great | | | | First off, you need to be sure it's a Diebold. Don't |
| Chicago fire. Diebold safes survived the destruction. | | | | trust the seller to know what kind of safe he has or |
| Although they now concentrate on automatics teller | | | | what brand it is. If they have heard that people are |
| machines, vaults and security software they still | | | | paying top dollar for a Diebold time lock safe, they |
| make models of safes. Some of their first safes are | | | | will advertise that their safes for sale are Diebold |
| still around today. | | | | time lock safes, no matter what the safe really is. |
| What's So Special About These Old Safes? | | | | Hopefully, you will be able to check out the safe for |
| When you hear about an antique safe, you don't | | | | sale before you put your money down. You need to |
| think it would be such a bid deal. One safe is like | | | | check for condition, for a brand name on it, to see if |
| another, right? Wrong! Antique Diebold safes are not | | | | it still works and what any serial numbers are. |
| only valuable, but they are incredibly beautiful. They | | | | So, play it safe with your safe. Get it appraised with |
| are not only beautiful for an old safe, they are hand | | | | an antiques dealer. Take your time in finding one. You |
| crafted works of art. | | | | can check with the International Society of |
| In taking one of these masterpieces apart, you see | | | | Appraisers to find a professional in your area to give |
| that each lock and bolt was not only hand-made and | | | | you an honest appraisal. Afterward, get your safe |
| signed, but engraved with intricate designs of | | | | insured. |