U.S. Field Safe

**shortbuss55** · 07-06-2015, 11:44 PM

Hello everyone, It's been awhile since I posted on here, I hope everyone is doing well. I was hoping someone could help me out. I was out picking today and found what I believe is a WW2 US Army field safe. The dial is made by "YALE". Other than that I don't know anything else about it. Does anyone know what the slots are for in pictures (6 and 7). The slots are on each side. I was also hoping someone would know about what they were used for or how much they are worth. I'll post pictures when I get it open.

Thanks for reading my post,

From
Shortbuss55

**Gwar** · 07-07-2015, 12:03 AM

A very interesting piece.. I wonder if it were for a quarter master for payroll. I also would like to know what this example was used for.. G

**big ned** · 07-07-2015, 12:09 AM

Hi Shortbuss,

It looks like it's a post war field chest from around the Korean war era. The cost of getting it opened professionally is going to be at least $150 more than what it's actually worth according to U.S. locksmiths current prices. Looking around the web, value appears to be between $50 and $150. The combo was factory set at 50-25-50 and changed before being put into service. The lock is a "Hand change" type and combination possibilities run at 1,000,000+.

Regards, Ned.

**Gwar** · 07-07-2015, 12:12 AM

by big ned

Hi Shortbuss,

It looks like it's a post war field chest from around the Korean war era. The cost of getting it opened professionally is going to be at least $150 more than what it's actually worth according to U.S. locksmiths current prices. Looking around the web, value appears to be between $50 and $150. The combo was factory set at 50-25-50 and changed before being put into service. The lock is a "Hand change" type and combination possibilities run at 1,000,000+.

Regards, Ned.

Jeez Ned... I am glad you were on our side..... G

**big ned** · 07-07-2015, 12:16 AM

by Gwar

Jeez Ned... I am glad you were on our side..... G

Just call me Raffles old chap......

**Wagriff** · 07-07-2015, 02:08 AM

These Army safes used to be All Over for little of nothing but today are rising in values. As said, if you have the Combination for it, and it's Open, you're good, but if it is locked Shut, good night. To open them, they have to be Drilled and the dials will be ruined and replaced. If they are Open, and you wish to change the combo, it is no problem-simply take off the steel back plate, loosen the wheels,make note of the number and tighten them back down. The same goes for any of the old antique tumbler type safes. I have a couple of them here just because they're interesting(floor safes, that is!). We used to play with these old safes all the time. Today, I haven't seen one for sale since I can't remember when.

**MAP** · 07-07-2015, 02:20 AM

And to answer your other question...while I am not sure, the slots appear to be an attachment point. Would assume something would be slotted into it so the safe could be picked up and moved.

Or for something completely different, maybe something slotted into it to keep the safe from being moved or stolen.

Michael

**Australia** · 07-07-2015, 09:20 AM

Nice item indeed , I was a locksmith for a few years , it won't get opened without repairs being needed , Keep in mind most of these have relockers within the door , if not correctly done by a locksmith it can turn into a nightmare , anything from glass and or wire activated re locking systems . Best entry would be from the rear using a large hole at the rear of the safe body to expose the rear of the combo lock , Doing it this way can keep the door totally un-damaged and a new combo being set with no issues , then of course just a repair of the hole in the rear is needed .

**shortbuss55** · 07-08-2015, 10:38 AM

by big ned

Hi Shortbuss,

It looks like it's a post war field chest from around the Korean war era. The cost of getting it opened professionally is going to be at least $150 more than what it's actually worth according to U.S. locksmiths current prices. Looking around the web, value appears to be between $50 and $150. The combo was factory set at 50-25-50 and changed before being put into service. The lock is a "Hand change" type and combination possibilities run at 1,000,000+.

Regards, Ned.

Thank you for Ned for your help! I have been digging around the internet looking for simmer safes and there isn't much out there that I have found.

From
Shortbuss55

**shortbuss55** · 07-08-2015, 10:43 AM

Thanks for your replay Wagriff, I was surprised so many people responded so fast. Thankfully I don't have much put into it, sadly I don't have the combo, and it's closed. On a happier note the side is painted (421 Engineering Co). So it's cool to know who used it. Your right that it is a nice conversion piece.

From
Shortbuss55