I always thought this was a cool project, and thought some of the newer members might like to see it.
While working at the safe company:
As the fabricator, and the duly assigned---- 'crotchety, old, bald headed, fat guy' back there in the shop....
I got to do all the unusual projects, build proto-types, do restorations, and things nobody else could or would do.
One of them several years ago was this big, old, 6,000-odd pound safe.
It was acquired years ago by a govt. agency to store their Gold bullion,
important papers, and the printing plates for their money and postage stamps,
It was found and brought from one museum, run through my shop, destined for display in another museum.
The custodians didn't want it made to look new, they wanted it to be returned to be fully functional,
and look like it did when it was in use 'back in its day'.
Our locksmith guru, and myself got it open, the locks and doors back to working condition.
We only used hand tools and materials to do the re-condition work and repairs that were available when it was new.
We got it in & out of my shop in 3 days, and is now on display in Ft. Worth, Texas.
Almost forgot to mention----
It was originally in Richmond, Virginia, and its previous owner was the Confederate States of America.