Pittsburg Safe Co. Antique Upright Safe — c.1890–1911, Dbl Door, Oak Interior

A rare and impressive antique double-door upright safe manufactured by the Pittsburg Safe Co. of Pittsburg, Pa., dating to approximately 1890–1911. The "Pittsburg" spelling without the terminal 'h' is historically significant: the U.S. Board on Geographic Names standardized that spelling in 1890, and the city restored the 'h' in 1911 — placing this safe's manufacture squarely within that window. A secondary gilt label reads I. Freeman, Pacific Coast Agent, San Francisco–Oakland–Los Angeles, documenting its western provenance and adding meaningful collector context.

The exterior is finished in dark chocolate brown with hand-applied gilt pinstripe borders and Gothic-lettered signage in both gold and white, largely intact after more than a century. Four heavy cast iron casters provide original mobility. The massive outer doors — each 5¾ inches thick — open to reveal a second set of inner doors, also bearing the manufacturer's lettering in gold on a matching chocolate field. Both outer and inner door faces are decorated with gilt pinstriping, a premium detail reserved for top-tier commercial production. This double-door configuration was associated with bank and high-grade commercial use of the period and is uncommon in surviving examples.

The interior is extensively fitted with original quarter-sawn oak components throughout: a full-width pigeonhole rack across the top, a central chest unit with two individually keyed black metal inner doors, two smaller upper drawers with turned pulls, four larger drawers with original ring-bail hardware, an open mid-shelf, and a removable oak floor board above a recessed cash compartment with original iron hardware. The rope-twist molding detail on all interior framing is consistent and intact. This level of original interior completeness is rare in safes of this age. A serious collector piece and functional statement for any period-appropriate commercial, banking, or residential interior.

CONDITION

Good to Very Good overall for age. The exterior finish shows honest patina — paint loss, surface oxidation, and scattered abrasion consistent with well over a century of commercial use. The combination is not known —  It is currently unlocked — Antique safe specialists can typically service locks of this type.

DIMENSIONS

• Height: 57 inches
• Width: 33¾ inches
• Depth: 27½ inches
• Interior width: 23 inches
• Interior depth: 16 inches
• Door thickness: 5¾ inches
• Weight: approximately 1,000 lbs — professional moving equipment required

Please Note: Bob Ross (6'2") Shown for Scale in Photo

SPECIAL NOTES FOR DELIVERY & PICKUP

Local delivery may be available through independent delivery contractors. Please contact any of the contractors below directly for availability and pricing:

• Eddie: 575-649-3721
• Freddie: 575-640-8781
• Anthony: 505-306-2707

Offsite pickup is available by special appointment only — normal auction pickup schedule does not apply. No loading assistance will be provided; buyer must arrange appropriate moving equipment and personnel. Item weighs approximately 1,000 lbs. Buyer has 30 days from auction close to complete removal.