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Posted by Scott, Milwaukee on September 24, 2011 at 19:35:10:
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In Reply to: the safe cabinet Mariett, OH posted by Pauline, Cordell, OK on September 18, 2011 at 07:47:03: |
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The patents were filed and granted between 1915 and 1920 by Ralph H. Dick and Peter W. Wigginton of Marietta, Ohio and were assigned to the Safe Cabinet Company of Marietta, Ohio. All have to do with the construction of the safe body to make it "fire proof". That is, the safe woul keep papers from burning while it was surrounded by flames. Patent 1,325,624 explicitly states the filler between the inner and outer walls includes 15% asbestos and 85% magnesium carbonate which was common for that period. Please keep in mind that this safe, and many others from that period, soaked the inner filler with water which boiled off during the fire, keeping the inside cool. That water has long since evaporated so the safe is no longer fire resistant. Further, the walls are sheet metal so that even if the combination lock was fully operational, the safe is not especially resistant to burglary. You might have an attractive antique of modest value and severely limited protection from fire and burglary. Don't kid yourself into thinking it's more than that. |