Please Help ID This Old Safe

[TigerSmile]

I'm hoping someone here may have some leads for me. I'm coming up very short on relevant info regarding my safe here. Thanks in advance!

Labeled
"Portland Safe Company, Portland, OR"
Handle # 6031
Lock "Pacific"
No other details really yet, unless you are interested in the measurements.

 

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[Mackaydon]

Welcome to Treasurenet !!
Specifically, what information are you looking for?
Don in SoCal

 

[TigerSmile]

Welcome to Treasurenet !!
Specifically, what information are you looking for?
Don in SoCal

Hi Don,
Well, we are trying to figure out what brand of safe it is and anything else about the Portland Safe Co or the original manufacturer. The handle number isn't getting me anywhere, and the only other reference I found to this company is a Mosler safe which is also mostly a mystery as well. We are getting stumped.
Here's the other lead, though it is not much more than a photo from 2009:

As for Pacific... well there are a million companies with that word in them. I haven't found a lock like this one yet anywhere else.
Hope that drums up some interest! 😀

 

[pepperj]

Maybe Scott @AU24K will help you out with an ID.

 

[DizzyDigger]

I would start by calling the current Portland Safe Company. They are located in Maine, and may have some info on the company of the same name, formerly in Portland, Ore.

Portland Safe Inc.

www.portlandsafe.com

Did find a small blurb about the company in the "Morning Orgonian", dated Nov. 23, 1909,, and it includes an address:

Portland Safe Company agents for the Herrlng-Hall-Marvtnbate Company, manufacturers of the genuine Hall's Safe & Lock Company's
safes and vaults. 92 Seventh Street

I believe if you do some sleuthing via Google you'll find much more history about the company.

 

[AU24K]

With the door being open, I assume that the combination is known.
It looks like a Mosler mechanical dial from about 1920's-1940's.

If you are looking only for the actual manufacturer and possible date,
I really can't help you.
However, I suggest that you join this Facebook group.
I have found them to be highly informative.
"Antique Safes and Locks."

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Best of Wishes,

Scott

 

[TigerSmile]

With the door being open, I assume that the combination is known.
It looks like a Mosler mechanical dial from about 1920's-1940's.

If you are looking only for the actual manufacturer and possible date,
I really can't help you.
However, I suggest that you join this Facebook group.
I have found them to be highly informative.
"Antique Safes and Locks."

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

Best of Wishes,

Scott

Thanks for the lead!

The lock says "Pacific" on the tip of it, is that a reference to something Mosler related? I haven't been able to track down any info regarding that.

 

[TigerSmile]

I would start by calling the current Portland Safe Company. They are located in Maine, and may have some info on the company of the same name, formerly in Portland, Ore.

Portland Safe Inc.

www.portlandsafe.com

Did find a small blurb about the company in the "Morning Orgonian", dated Nov. 23, 1909,, and it includes an address:

Portland Safe Company agents for the Herrlng-Hall-Marvtnbate Company, manufacturers of the genuine Hall's Safe & Lock Company's
safes and vaults. 92 Seventh Street

I believe if you do some sleuthing via Google you'll find much more history about the company.

That's a fun little gem of a blurb! Thanks.
I'll try the call too.

 

[TigerSmile]

I would start by calling the current Portland Safe Company. They are located in Maine, and may have some info on the company of the same name, formerly in Portland, Ore.

Portland Safe Inc.

www.portlandsafe.com

Did find a small blurb about the company in the "Morning Orgonian", dated Nov. 23, 1909,, and it includes an address:

Portland Safe Company agents for the Herrlng-Hall-Marvtnbate Company, manufacturers of the genuine Hall's Safe & Lock Company's
safes and vaults. 92 Seventh Street

I believe if you do some sleuthing via Google you'll find much more history about the company.

I'm glad you mentioned the date and publication because it opened up a world of info. I was just coming up with nothing via Google until I hit the U of O newspaper scans from the early 1900s. I have a small trove of info now!

It looks like the Portland Safe Co may have been short lived since the ads and articles seem to span 1904 to 1910 only unless I have more to find. The most info seems to be found under the President's name, George B. Cellars. His company and his name are badly set up to survive looming obscurity it would seem. Looks like a fake name.

 

[TigerSmile]

I have a little info stash going here for any interested parties:

Portland Safe Co.

Established by George B. Cellars

GB Cellars - Born 1868, Carrollton, OH

Died Dec 23, 1945, Medford, OR

Sec 07, Lot 134, Grave 1, 146172437 River View Cem.

4 year Councilman at Large in PDX, 1907 with focus on moral and business changes.

Banker, OR State Bar Lawyer and “prominent” Mason of Willamette Lodge 2.

Articles Collected:

August 11, 1904

At present, first article I’ve found referencing PDX Safe Co.

Portland Safe Co. described as the manufacturer of safes here, not an agent or second hand seller. It alludes to a “constant study” of their safe technologies as a top safe manufacturer. No mention of George, or any indication of actual product availability. Is this a bait article prior to inventory arrival or business plans?

Address Listed: 70 6th St [Portland, OR]


April 20, 1907

L.C. Smith & Bros Typewriters ad proudly lists an excessive amount of businesses in the area who use their product.

Portland Safe Co. is listed here. The fated typewriter of December 1910 infamy.


May 1, 1907

“NO. 27.”

“Try George B. Cellars, President of Portland Safe Co. for Councilman at Large.”


May 3, 1907

https://photos.app.goo.gl/yjS5Td6ChLWXdDAT8

Nice photo of this old feller above his ad for political office candidacy.

“Candidate for Republican Nomination for Councilman at Large. A Business Man for Business Administration.”

I see no article for his sucessful election to this office in the papers. He served 4 years in this role.


June 18, 1907

“Portland Safe Co. SOLE Agents for Manganese Steel Safe Co. bank safes and Herving-Hall-Marvin safes. 20 second-hand [examples] of safes and bank safes, very cheap.”

Address Listed: 92 7th St [Portland, OR]


October 22, 1909

“Portland Safe Co. agents for Herving-Hall-Marvin Safe Co. manufacturers of the genuine Hall’s Safe & Lock Co. safes and vaults.”

Address Listed: 92 7th St [Portland, OR]


November 29-30, 1909 in Morning Oregonian

Recurring small ad - “Fire Proof Safes”

Address Listed: 92 7th St [Portland, OR].

Mentioned - “Dec 1 [1909] we are moving to 87 5th St”


December 3, 1909

Recurrence of Oct 22, 1909 article “Agents of H-H-M Safes. How many safes did he have left at this point? What was his actual relationship with the HHM co?


December 23, 1910

“Portland Safe Co. - Typewriter Cabinet and small table” for sale (see April 20, 1907 entry).

Address listed: 85 5th St [Portland, OR] - his office?

“ PDX SC - New and 2nd hand safes” in a meek fashion, 2nd to the typewriter sale above. A one man, 1 typewriter, low inventory operation with big political dreams and more interest in Masonry?

Address Listed here as 85-87 5th St [Portland, OR]

This date has a Mosler ad (not confirmed first) which noticeably trumps the Portland Safe Co. ads and makes a much wider range of offerings.

“Safes at factory prices, repair, lockouts opened, bargains on … safes.” See below for Mosler SC info.


May 1, 1914 in Oregon Daily Journal

61 Defendants Delinquent License Fees Article

Includes our friend at Portland Safe Co.